The Orlando Magic selected Duke freshman Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. He beat out fellow first-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Chet Holmgren.
Paolo Banchero, right, is congratulated by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number one pick overall by the Orlando Magic in the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in New York.
NEW YORK — The Orlando Magic selected Duke forward Paolo Banchero on Thursday night with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. After leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four in coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final season, the 6-foot-10 forward was called first by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to begin the draft, beating out fellow first-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Chet Holmgren.
Banchero, wearing a purple suit full of bling, received a loud ovation inside Barclays Center, where Duke lost in the ACC Tournament final. The Magic were picking first for the fourth time and they’ve done well with their previous choices. They took Shaquille O’Neal in 1992, traded the rights to Chris Webber for Penny Hardaway the next year, and went with Dwight Howard in 2004.Holmgren went second to the Oklahoma City Thunder after the 7-footer led the West Coast Conference in blocked shots, rebounding and shooting percentage at Gonzaga.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NBA Draft 2022: Smith, Holmgren, Banchero top list of forwardsForwards are expected to dominate Thursday's NBA draft, starting with the trio of Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren, Auburn's Jabari Smith and Duke's Paolo Banchero. They are the headliners at the position and have been widely ranked as the top prospects overall…
Read more »
NBA draft live updates: Where will Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero go?Auburn’s Jabari Smith, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Duke’s Paolo Banchero are the favorites to be the top picks. Follow along for live updates.
Read more »
2022 NBA mock draft: Jabari Smith goes No. 1 to a Magic team in need of a sure thing2022 NBA draft: The Utah Jazz don’t currently hold a pick, but there will still be intrigue on Thursday night in Brooklyn.
Read more »
Arizona Wildcats have a chance to put three players in first round of Thursday's NBA DraftOn Thursday, Arizona could have three players taken in the first round of the NBA Draft for the first time ever.
Read more »
Nuggets GM Calvin Booth has options heading into first NBA draft as team’s lead decision-makerNuggets GM Calvin Booth has numerous levers to pull ahead of Thursday night’s NBA draft, which will be Booth’s first as the Nuggets’ primary-decision maker.
Read more »
Podcast: Omaha magicRick and Tyler caught up with Mike Bianco, Tim Elko and Hunter Elliot to talk about the Rebels’ victory over Arkansas.
Read more »