(Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
He might not have been playing in a postseason game but Tuesday night was still a good one for Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic.
That’s because the NBA announced that Banchero was officially the 2022-23 Rookie of the Year.
The former No. 1 overall draft pick had a banner season and now joins the ranks of Magic history.
In fact, he is now the third Magic player to win Rookie of the Year, behind Shaquille O’Neal in 1993 and Mike Miller in 2001.
Paolo Banchero becomes the third Magic player to win Rookie of the Year pic.twitter.com/kELgYzOzXR
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 25, 2023
During his first season, Banchero averaged 20 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game and became the most pivotal part of his team’s offense.
From the very start of the year, Banchero was leading his team and showing how smart they were to select him in the draft.
And from the very start, Banchero was also a clear favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
It remains to be seen if Banchero can reach the heights that both O’Neal and Miller did when they played in Orlando.
There is no doubt that the Magic have a lot of potential right now, aside from just Banchero.
They are youthful, fun, energetic, and ready to play hard – they just need a bit more experience.
Although it might take a few more years, fans of the team are hopeful and optimistic about what’s ahead.
Banchero comfortably won this year’s Rookie of the Year and now he is ready to move onto his second season in the league.
Will he get even better and will his team also improve in 2023-24?
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