As the leading frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, it’s fair to say that Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero is a star in the making. This season, through 25 games, he’s averaging 21.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game on 44% shooting.
In truth, he’s proving why he was the right pick at no. 1 in the draft. But did you know that Paolo thought he’d be going lower? As he revealed on ‘The Old Man & The Three’ this week, he thought he’d fall to second or third that year.
“I was pretty much 100% sure I was gonna go, maybe number two, but most likely number three. So I felt like I knew where I was going and I was comfortable. I was like ‘look we about to get drafted number three, this is dope.’ Like I’m smiling the whole day. If I would have gotten drafted number three or number two or whatever, I wouldn’t have cried. I would have smiled, gone up there, and been cool. But at that point, it had been a whole process and I was like, alright this is where I’m going. As long as I get to the NBA.”
“Going into that day, I was pretty much 100% sure I was gonna go maybe no. 2, but most likely no. 3.” @Pp_doesit reflects on his draft day experience. Full episode with @jj_redick and @talter drops 12/21. pic.twitter.com/P0VQNgSFv7
— TheYoungManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) December 20, 2022
Is Paolo Banchero Already An NBA Star?
Paolo was juggling great expectations coming of college, but he has delivered on all of them so far. As a team, the Magic haven’t been much to worry about yet, but Paolo’s development should make them a team to watch in the East for years to come.
While talking to Marc Stein, Banchero revealed that he grew up idolizing LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, while also learning a lot from Anthony Davis’ and Jayson Tatum’s game as well.
“LeBron [James] and Carmelo [Anthony], growing up, were by far my two favorites like my whole childhood,” Banchero said on which players he models his game after. “And then as I got older I started to know about Anthony Davis and Jayson Tatum — dynamic forwards who are able to play inside or outside. But then I also want to have my own style of play with my own flair. I’m just trying to be myself.”
It remains to be seen just how good Paolo can be, but the fact that he is averaging 21.8 points per game as a 20-year-old with no NBA experience should tell you all you need to know about this kid’s potential.
Already, it seems, the Orlando Magic have changed the outlook of their future with Paolo on the squad.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
