While waiting for the MVP and the various best five (All-NBA, All-Defensive, All-Rookie) to be revealed, the NBA continues its distribution of individual awards for the season. And now it’s the turn of Paolo Banchero to be honoured, since the strong winger of the Magic had been named ” Rookie of the Year » 2023, ahead of Jalen Williams and Walker Kessler.
A victory that could not be more logical and deserved, as the Italian-American seduced in his first year with Orlando, compiling 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists on average, 43% in shooting (including 30% at 3-pointers) and 74% in throws. Responding very quickly to the expectations placed on him, despite some logical slack for a beginner, with in particular four of the five titles of “Rookie of the Month” which landed in his bag in the East.
Drafted in first position a year ago, upon leaving Duke, Paolo Banchero therefore becomes the 22nd draft number one in history to be elected Rookie of the Year, in addition to being only the 3rd player of the Magic to win such a trophy after Shaquille O’Neal (1993) then Mike Miller (2001), and to be the 51st rookie in history to average 20+ points.
| Paolo Banchero | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2022-23 | ENT | 72 | 34 | 42.7 | 29.8 | 73.8 | 1.2 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 20.0 |
| Total | 72 | 34 | 42.7 | 29.8 | 73.8 | 1.2 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 20.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
