Paolo Banchero rings the bell in the NBA ‘draft’

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Magical pick Duke advances with top pick by surprise as favorite Jabari Smith slides into third place

The NBA’s “concept” shattered all forecasts. Paolo Banchero, a graduate of the prestigious Duke University, took #1 in the college lottery when he was chosen by the Orlando Magic, much to the surprise of the experts, who predicted the top pick would fall on Jabari Smith. The Auburn forward eventually fell to third and will play for the Houston Rockets, while second place went to Chet Holmgren, a Gonzaga University “unicorn” who will fulfill his goal of joining the Oklahoma City Thunder. to see.

Paolo Napoleón James Banchero is a 19-year-old promising 6-foot striker who averaged 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in his only season in the NCAA, becoming the fifth Duke player to be selected with the No. 1 of the NBA draw. Follow in the footsteps of Art Heyman (chosen by the New York Knicks in 1963), Elton Brand (chosen by the Chicago Bulls in 1999), Kyrie Irving (first pick in 2011 by the Cleveland Cavaliers), and Zion Williamson (draft star in 2019 when drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans).

The son of a father of Italian descent and an American mother who also stood out in college basketball and was “drafted” by the WNBA, Banchero will join the vast array of up-and-coming talent of the Orlando Magic who entrust their future to the evolution of the Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter, Mo Bamba, Cole Anthony, Jonathan Isaac and Company. The Florida team finished last season with a balance of 22 wins and 60 losses, making them the worst team in the Eastern Conference, but they have high hopes for the litter of young stars available to coach Jamahl Mosley.

“I honestly can’t believe what just happened,” Banchero confessed when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver pronounced his name as the first draft pick. “I never thought this would happen. He wanted to be in the NBA; I didn’t know it would be (No. 1). This is unbelievable,” added the attacker, who has an Italian passport and has on several occasions. indicated his intention to play with the transalpine team.

It’s the fourth time the Magic have picked first in the draft and Banchero will have to work very hard so that his career doesn’t detract from that of his three predecessors: Shaquille O’Neal (1992), Chris Webber (1993) Dwight Howard (2004).

Within the planned script appeared the number 2 of Chet Holmgren, a generational talent whose versatility will be able to take advantage of the Oklahoma City Thunder. 2.13 meter tall pivot, plays like a shooting guard and has a good medium and long range shot. He averaged 14.1 points and 9.9 rebounds in his lone season at Gonzaga University and had 117 blocks, equaling the 2018-19 season record of Brandon Clarke, who now plays for the Memphis Grizzlies. Months ago, Holmgren was expected to become No. 1 in the draft, but the Minneapolis-born player declined to compete in the Orlando Magic, seeing a better opportunity to develop in the Thunder.

Jabari Smith, for his part, will disembark in some of the Rockets who drew the worst record in the NBA last season, with a balance of 20 wins and 62 defeats, after seeing how a number 1 of the “concept” appeared in him to his escaped hand. The forward, 2.08 tall and 19 years old, was considered the best marksman of his promotion, averaging just 16.9 points and 7.4 rebounds with the Auburn ‘Tigers’, signing a 42% success rate in the throws of three. “I can fit into any system in the NBA with my marksmanship and love for defense,” Smith said after his luck in the draft was announced. “I can go in and impress right away,” he added.

The ‘top ten’ of the draft was completed by Keegan Murray, a power forward trained in Iowa who will bolster the Sacramento Kings; Jaden Ivey, a Perdue athletic point guard who will join the Detroit Pistons roster, where he will form an attractive duo on the perimeter with Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 in the 2021 draft; Bennedict Mathurin, a Canadian shooting guard who was selected sixth by the Indiana Pacers; Shaedon Sharpe, another Canadian shooting guard selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with seventh place; Dyson Daniels, an Australian point guard who will join the New Orleans Pelicans; Jeremy Sochan, a 2.05m power forward who will play for the San Antonio Spurs; and shooting guard Johnny Davis chosen by the Washington Wizards with the 10th pick.

Source: La Verdad

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