BROOKLYN, NY – The Orlando Magic Selected Paolo Banchero form. Due University with the number one pick of the 2022 NBA Draft.
Orlando surprised many by forgoing forward Jabari Smith out of Auburn for Banchero.
Banchero led Duke to the Final Four, by being named a Second Team All-American and by becoming one of two freshmen in the history of NCAA basketball to have 600 points, 300 rebounds and 100 assists.
He has a sweet jumper and is seen as s solid defender.
Orlando President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman said that thy were sold on BAnchero from the start, even though, they never worked him out.
“I think our team got a lot better tonight.” Said Weldon “I’m really excited about the direction of our team. I again say Paolo hasn’t played one minute in this league yet. Everything that he gets, he is going to have to earn. Obviously, he has a tremendous future in front of him. What most excites us about him is the best feature that he brings is he makes it easier for others to play.”
“I think that’s the one thing we’ve constantly talked about is the versatility and the ability to play both sides of the ball, guard multiple decisions but also be a great playmaker and decisionmaker,” coach Jamahl Mosley said after the draft. “He is a giver and a distributor and that’s going to be a great addition to our team.”
The Magic also drafted Caleb Houstan from Michigan in the second round on draft night.
Houstan was a tight school stand out who struggled with this college game. He played high school ball at Montverde Academy in Central Florida for one of the best coaches and high school systems in the country. He was second on his high school team in scoring averaging 13.6 points per game (only behind lottery pick Jalen Duren). He shot the 3-pointer extremely well at 39 percent from deep.
All that talent is still there even though he struggled at Michigan.
He uses his 6-foot-8, 205-pound frame to his advantage, grabbing 4.7 rebounds per game in high school with the help of his 7-foot-0 wingspan.
Houstan has the ability to shoot with the best of them and did not get the chance to prove that fully in college.
The Magic could be active on when NBA Free Agency with salary cap space as well as Terrance Ross expression his wish to be traded.
Stay tuned.
