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Paolo Banchero on Team USA Shortlist for Paris Olympics, But Focus Remains on Magic

Paolo Banchero could represent the Orlando Magic and Team USA at the Paris Olympics.

Jeremy Brener

Paolo Banchero on Team USA Shortlist for Paris Olympics, But Focus Remains on Magic
Paolo Banchero on Team USA Shortlist for Paris Olympics, But Focus Remains on Magic /
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ORLANDO - Orlando Magic power forward Paolo Banchero could be back with Team USA this summer.

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Banchero is one of 41 finalists for Team USA's roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will take place this July and August.

Paolo Banchero
Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

"I think this thing is cool," Banchero said. "I haven't really been focused on it. They let me know that I'm gonna be on their list. All great players and they'll select the 12 that they see fit best."

Here's a look at the full list of players ...

Bam Adebayo, Jarrett Allen, Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Jimmy Butler, Alex Caruso, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, De’Aaron Fox, Paul George, Aaron Gordon, Tyrese Haliburton, James Harden, Josh Hart, Tyler Herro, Jrue Holiday, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Ingram, Kyrie Irving, Jaren Jackson Jr., LeBron James, Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, Bobby Portis, Austin Reaves, Duncan Robinson, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Trae Young

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Banchero, 21, admitted that while he's excited about Team USA, he's focused on the second half of the Magic's season as Orlando has a chance to make its first playoff appearance since 2020.

Banchero is emerging in his second season in the NBA. He's averaging 22.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game for the Magic this season. There's a chance he could make his first All-Star team later this month as well, making him one of the top candidates among the list above.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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