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2022 NBA Re-Draft: Magic PF Paolo Banchero Remains No. 1?
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic was proven time and time again throughout the season that it made the right choice taking Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 overall pick.
The Athletic validated that choice once again by tabbing him as the No. 1 pick in its 2022 NBA Re-Draft exercise.
"The answer has to be Banchero at No. 1 if only because of the offensive upside he’s shown," The Athletic writes. "No rookie has shown more potential to be a No. 1 option for a team down the road. Banchero averaged nearly 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists per night, but more importantly, he did it as the guy who is at the top of scouting reports every night for Orlando."
Over 72 games this year, Banchero averaged 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists, joining Blake Griffin, Michael Jordan, Grant Hill, Larry Johnson, Larry Bird, Walter David as the only first-year player since the NBA-ABA merger that has averaged at least 19 points, six rebounds and three assists, per ESPN.
For his efforts, Banchero was the only unanimous selection for the All-Rookie First Team and received 98 out of a possible 100 votes for the league's Rookie of the Year honors.
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