Age

20

Height

6'10''

Weight

250

Workload

MIN%

82

USG%

27

TS%

56

Per 70 Possession Stats

PTS

21.4

REB

9.7

AST

4.0

STL

1.3

BLK

1.1

TOV

2.9

Efficiency

RIM FG%

68

MID FG%

38

3PT FG%

34

FT%

73

Jump to full report

Report by: Matt

Paolo Banchero

Forward Orlando Magic

A 6'10'' dribble-pass-shoot jumbo initiator who can handle heavy usage

Age

20

Height

6'10''

Weight

250

Per 70 Possession Stats

PTS

21.4

REB

9.7

AST

4.0

STL

1.3

BLK

1.1

Positions Defended

Offensive Role

 

Defensive Role

   

Meet Paolo Banchero

The top pick in the 2022 draft makes a trio of big players who can do a little dribbling, passing and shooting on the Magic, with Banchero, Wagner and Carter Jr. providing a unique frontcourt of the future. Banchero is the most traditional initiator of the trio, by virtue of his creativity with the ball in addition to dynamic athleticism. Paolo can nail the footwork on a stutter rip before accelerating into a midrange spin and finish or pull-up. While his shot polish needs some fine-tuning within that framework, the results have still been good for a creator of his size, most notably shooting 38% on deep twos in his only year at Duke with 80% of those makes unassisted.

The Magic have already cleaned up his form a bit to encourage a higher release, and a less bulky upper body has meant more quickness in preseason. Banchero has the benefit of having the talent and skill to always suggest the investment is worth it, and with that confidence the Magic can plot for many years of actions between Paolo and Franz. With a lot of combined ballhandling and passing talent across the roster, Orlando will need Banchero to move off the ball more than he did in college. Getting acclimated to the more versatile role could be an adjustment, but Paolo’s elite proprioception (awareness of body in space), creativity attacking in the halfcourt and quickness for strength will do him wonders in acclimating. Using his strong frame to set screens and making quick reads with the ball would as well, both of which he began to show in preseason.

The defensive side of the ball is where Banchero can improve the most, as he has a tendency to ball-watch both in college and in the NBA preseason. But his awareness of, put simply, how basketball works shines through from time to time here as well, with a nose for loose balls or making contests at the rim. The technique needs work, as does understanding an NBA defensive system after coasting at Duke, but the tools are there and not lacking.

Adjusting to the speed of the NBA can be challenging, and necessitates clueing in to the fine details of the sport. But an excess of skill and talent at age 20, particularly as a valued scorer and passer as a bruising forward, makes that easier. And once he gets his sea legs, Banchero could become the conductor of a very good offense, or at the least a very good second-side creator for one. Alongside Franz Wagner, the playmaking duo could be trouble sooner rather than later.

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