The Orlando Magic surprisingly picked Paolo Banchero as the first pick in the 76th NBA draft.
Coming from Duke University: Paolo Banchero.
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The 19-year-old power forward with Italian roots comes from Duke University. However, he only studied there for a year and should now contribute to the Orlando Magic around Franz Wagner becoming a title candidate in the medium term. Last season he impressed with an average of 17.2 points per game.
“I really don’t know what to say,” Banchero said at New York’s Barclays Center. “I can’t believe what just happened.”
In the past few days, experts had expected the Magic to choose either Jabari Smith Jr. or Chet Holmgren. Holmgren was picked second by the Oklahoma City Thunder, while Smith was picked third by the Houston Rockets, where international Dennis Schröder played late last season. His future is open.
Pole Jeremy Sochan was the first European to be drawn by the San Antonio Spurs in ninth place.
In the NBA draft, teams take turns picking the rights to a junior player. The worst teams from the previous season are allowed to start, but teams can swap positions with each other.