Magic All-Star Paolo Banchero Details 'Head and Shoulders' Growth in NBA
In just his second season in the NBA, Paolo Banchero has already been named an All-Star, and is being seen by many as one of the future faces of the league.
He will be representing the Orlando Magic in the All-Star Game tonight, and Banchero said in his interview after the Rising Stars games that this time at the All-Star Break has came him to reflect on how much he has grown since his rookie year.
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"I’m head and shoulders different," Banchero said. "I think more so my mentality. In these 18 months I've learned more than the previous 3-4 years about myself, about the game, and about the player and person that I am. It's been really eye-opening, and I'm just glad it's happening, because I can feel myself growing and I can feel myself getting better."
Banchero is averaging 23 points and just under seven rebounds per game, which are very similar to his stats in his rookie season. But when you look over at his shooting percentages, that's where you see his growth. From his rookie season to now, he has gone from shooting 42 percent to 46 percent from the field, as well as improving his three-point percentage from 29 percent to 36 percent.
If the young forward can continue to improve at this rate over the next several seasons, then he could be a starter on the All-Star team in no time. And considering he is only 21 years old, Banchero's ceiling remains to be seen.
Banchero will be representing the Magic tonight in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
