NBA: The Magic surprise and choose Banchero as number one in the NBA draft | NBA 2021

Most analysts and forecasts pointed to Jabari Smith (Auburn) would be the number, but the Orlando Magic surprised this Thursday by choosing in the first position of the 2022 NBA Draft a Paolo Banchero (Duke).

In the second position, as expected, the Oklahoma City Thunder they chose the pivot Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga) and to third place fell Jabari Smithwhich was selected by the Houston Rockets.

19 years old, born in Seattle (USA) and with Italian roots, Banchero attracted attention in the draw held at the Barclays Center in New York and that it took place only a week after the Golden State Warriors champions of the 2021-2022 season will be proclaimed.

But the NBA He does not rest and is already looking to the future in search of his new stars.

Banchero is a powerful and athletic forward, he lands in the NBA with the always prestigious seal of Duke and in his only season in college basketball he shone with an average of 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.

“I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe what just happened, honestly (…). This is incredible. I can’t speak,” Banchero told the American broadcast as soon as he heard his name.

Wearing a flashy purple suit, almost as if he wanted to make a tribute to prince, Banchero received a congratulatory message from the legendary coach Mike Krzyzewskiat whose orders Duke he played in the NCAA Final Four this year before the coach retired.

Known as “Coach K,” Krzyzewski praised Banchero and assured that he is “the most versatile player in the draft.” “You are a winner,” he stated.

Banchero will land in a few Magic very talented young (Cole Anthony, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, etc.) but last year they were the worst team in the Eastern Conference (22-60).

That season was no exception as the Magic they have not qualified for the playoffs in the last two years, they have only played in the playoffs twice in the last decade and they have not advanced beyond the first round since the 2009-2010 season.

Banchero is fourth number one for the Magic in his story after Shaquille O’ Neal (1992), Chris Webber (1993, but was traded to the Golden State Warriors) and Dwight Howard (2004).

In addition, his university Dukebecame the one with the most number ones in the draft by joining Banchero’s name to those of Elton Brand (1999), Kyrie Irving (2011) and Zion Williamson (2019).

HOLMGREN, SMITH AND COMPANY

The ambitious process of reconstruction of the Oklahoma City Thundera franchise that has spent years amassing draft picks and prospects on the horizon while paying limited attention to the present, added a new asset with Chet Holmgrenclearly the most unique and mysterious player in this draft.

With a height of 2.13, a wingspan of more than 2.25 and a weight of less than 90 kilos, Holmgren He combines intimidation (3.7 blocks and 9.9 rebounds on average per game), talent inside and on the perimeter (14.1 points) and amazing agility despite his size.

For its part, Jabari Smithwhich will reach Rocketsis considered the best shooter of this promotion of 2022 and this season he exhibited versatility and scoring appetite, achieving 16.9 points and 7.4 rebounds on average per game with a fabulous 42% shooting from 3-point range.

The “top 5” of the draft was completed Keegan Murray (Iowa), who will play for the Sacramento Kings; Y Jaden Ivey (Purdue), who will defend the colors of the Detroit Pistons.

Among the top ten also appeared Bennedict Mathurin (Indiana Pacers, sixth position), Shaedon Sharpe (Portland Trail Blazers, seventh), Dyson Daniels (New Orleans Pelicans, octava), Jeremy Sochan (San Antonio Spurs, ninth) and Johnny Davis (Washington Wizards, décima).

The first movement of the night was carried out by the New York Knickswho chose the French Ousmane Dieng in 11th place but was automatically traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Oklahoma City He stayed like this with three players among the top twelve positions in this draft: Chet Holmgren (From), Ousmane Dieng (eleven) and Jalen Williams (twelve).

Jalen Duren was chosen in the thirteenth position by the Charlotte Hornets, but will go to the Detroit Pistons in a three-way move with the New York Knicks (Kemba Walker will also land in ‘Motor City’); and the lottery portion of the draft was completed by Cleveland Cavaliers choosing Ochai Agbaji in fourteenth place.

The night left some anecdotes such as the presence in the draft of the filmmaker Spike Lee, passionate about basketball and the New York Knicks, and the French soccer player Kylian Mbappé.