Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero’s reasoning for why he believed he should’ve been named the league’s 2022-23 Rookie of the Year was simple.
“I just think,” Banchero said during his exit interview earlier in the month, “I’ve been the best rookie.”
The league’s panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters who voted for the award agreed, with Banchero receiving the top rookie award Tuesday night.
Banchero, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, is the third player in Magic history to win Rookie of the Year, joining Shaquille O’Neal (1993) and Mike Miller (2001).
“It’d mean everything,” Banchero responded when asked during his exit interview about possibly winning the award. “It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a while. Worked really hard for. Just wanted to come out this year and be the best rookie but also help my team win and have a good effect on my teams in terms of wins and overall success.”
With averages of 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists, Banchero became just the 12th rookie in the league’s history to average the statistical benchmarks of at least 20 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists for a season.
Walter Davis (1977-78), Larry Bird (1979-80), Michael Jordan (1984-85), Blake Griffin (2010-11) and Luka Dončić (2018-19) are the only players to reach those averages as rookies since the 1976-77 campaign — the first season after the NBA-ABA merger.
Banchero was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month four consecutive times, a feat only O’Neal achieved in the Magic’s history, and was the season-long betting favorite for Rookie of the Year.
“It’s super encouraging knowing you can come into this league as a rookie and be successful, earn the respect of guys who’ve been in the league,” Banchero said.
Banchero led all rookies in averaged minutes (33.7), scoring and free throws (5.5) while being third in assists and fourth in rebounds and steals (0.8).
Even after a February slump where he struggled with his 3-point shooting, Banchero bounced back. He averaged 20.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists and shot 38.7% on 3s (24 of 62) in his final 17 games.
One thing the Magic are encouraged about with Banchero: he’s only 20 years old and still has plenty of room to develop in all areas of the game.
“There [are] so many ways in which he can grow,” coach Jamahl Mosley said. “A lot of times rookies will come in and they’ll try to do everything. The biggest thing I talk with him about is just to have a level of focus on one or two pieces for the summer. Where he can improve in certain areas.
“He’s going to work. I don’t think that’s going to be any question whatsoever. But now it’s the tightened-up focus on the small details of things and how we can improve there.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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