Magic Rookie Paolo Banchero Looks Back on NBA Debut: 'I Was Going to Put on a Show'
The Orlando Magic and forward Paolo Banchero defied all expectations placed on them prior to last season.
Heading into the 2022 NBA Draft with the No. 1 pick, Orlando faced the decision of selecting between Banchero, Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren or Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr.
And it was clear following Banchero's first career game - posting a a record-breaking 27 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists - that they made the right choice.
Banchero, the recent cover athlete of SLAM Magazine, spoke on that game - becoming the first rookie to post 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in his NBA debut since LeBron James in 2003.
“My first preseason game, I was way more nervous for that than I was for the actual regular season game," Banchero said. "Like, once I played those preseason games, I felt like I was already acclimated. So, going into that Detroit game, obviously it’s the first regular season game so everything’s getting turned up, you’re gonna play more minutes or whatnot. And I just remember feeling, like, raw emotions and being excited, but in my head, I just knew I was going to have a good game. I knew I was going to put on a show."
The addition of Banchero's impact on both ends propelled Orlando from 22 wins the year prior to a 34-48 mark this season. While the 12-win jump marked the largest in the Eastern Conference, the Magic fell just short of the postseason for the third consecutive year.
“Watching the playoffs, it just doesn’t feel right that we’re not on that stage—I’m not on that stage," Banchero said. "I just feel like that’s where I need to be. That’s where we need to be. That’s where we all want to be."
Alongside a young core of Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr., Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs, the reigning Rookie of the Year became the sixth first-year player since the NBA-ABA merger to average at least 19 points, six rebounds and three assists - per ESPN.
Banchero and Orlando look to add upon that young nucleus with two lottery picks in the NBA Draft and money to spend in free agency.
You can follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.
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