Follow usLast year’s No. 1 overall draft pick, Paolo Banchero, proved that the hype surrounding his name was no fluke and took home the NBA’s No. 1 rookie award. The 20-year-old Banchero has proven his worth, leading the rookies with an average of 20 points per game.
His 6.9 rebounds per game ranked him fifth among basketball players in his first year in the League, and his 3.7 assists per game ranked him third.
Paolo Banchero becomes the third Magic player to win Rookie of the Year ?? pic.twitter.com/kELgYzOzXR
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 25, 2023
His career best was 31 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals in Orlando’s hard-fought road win over Boston in December, when he hit six of his seven three-pointers.
He ended up winning the vote in a landslide after garnering 98 of a possible 100 first-place votes, with the other two going to Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler. Kessler also finished No. 2 overall, with Oklahoma City wing Jaylen Williams third.
Kessler ranks 4th in the entire league in blocks per game average and is also shooting 72 percent from game situations.
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Magic beats Cavaliers 121-83 as Banchero nets 31 points 
