Paolo Banchero
Born 2002 · Age 23
American professional basketball player (power forward) for the Orlando Magic; 2022 first overall NBA draft pick after one season at Duke; 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year; 2024 NBA All-Star.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Seattle, Washington
Paolo Napoleon James Banchero was born in Seattle, Washington.
Reached 3 feet at 15 months
At about 15 months of age Paolo measured roughly 3 feet tall, an early physical milestone that presaged his size.
Seventh-grade growth spurt to ~6'5"
In seventh grade Paolo grew from about 6'1" to approximately 6'5", boosting his projection as a multi-sport athlete.
Ranked among top 50 eighth-graders nationally
As an eighth-grader Paolo was ranked among the top 50 nationally in both basketball and football.
Began at O'Dea High School; football backup QB on state champion team
First year at O'Dea High — played basketball and served as backup quarterback on the school's state championship football team.
Freshman basketball season at O'Dea — 14.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG
Averaged 14.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game as a freshman for O'Dea High School.
Sophomore season — state championship MVP
As a sophomore he averaged 18.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists and led O'Dea to the Class 3A state championship, earning tournament MVP honors.
Received Italian citizenship
Granted Italian citizenship through paternal ancestry.
Junior season honors — Gatorade POY and MaxPreps National Junior of the Year
Averaged 22.6 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 blocks; named Washington Gatorade Player of the Year and MaxPreps National Junior of the Year.
Committed to Duke University
Paolo committed to play college basketball at Duke, surprising some who expected him to choose Washington.
Selected to Italy's 24-man EuroBasket qualifying squad (did not play)
Paolo was selected to Italy's 24-man squad for EuroBasket 2022 qualifying games but did not ultimately play.
Named to multiple preseason award watch lists (Naismith, Wooden, Karl Malone)
Entered the 2021–22 college season on watch lists and preseason lists (Naismith, Wooden, Karl Malone Award finalist at season end).
Named to McDonald's All-American Game roster
Selection to the McDonald's All-American Game and also named to Jordan Brand Classic roster.
College debut vs. Kentucky — 22 points
In his Duke debut (Champions Classic) Banchero scored 22 points in a 79–71 win over Kentucky.
Charged with aiding and abetting DUI (later dropped)
Charged in connection with a DUI arrest of a Duke teammate; charge related to alleging he aided/abetted; charge remained pending until dropped in 2022.
Named ACC Freshman of the Week (1st time)
Earned his first ACC Freshman of the Week honor early in the Duke season.
28 points vs. The Citadel
Scored 28 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in a 107–81 Duke victory over The Citadel.
21 points vs. Gonzaga in marquee matchup
Scored 21 and had 5 rebounds in Duke's 84–81 win over Gonzaga; performance drew national attention.
Named ACC Freshman of the Week (2nd time)
Earned a second ACC Freshman of the Week honor within Duke's early season stretch.
23 points vs. Virginia Tech
Recorded 23 points in a 76–65 win over Virginia Tech.
Notable historical comparisons (debut and teen 30/15)
Became first player since LeBron James to record at least 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in an NBA debut and second teenager to have a 30/15 game — comparisons that boosted his profile as a franchise cornerstone.
24 points vs. Wake Forest
Registered 24 points and 5 rebounds in a 76–64 victory over Wake Forest.
21 points, 8 rebounds vs. NC State
Tallied 21 points and 8 rebounds in an 88–73 Duke victory.
Named ACC Freshman of the Week (again)
Earned additional conference weekly freshman honors.
16 points, 14 rebounds vs. Boston College
Produced 16 points and a season-high 14 rebounds in a 72–61 win over Boston College.
Karl Malone Award finalist & multiple national All-District honors
Recognized as a finalist for the Karl Malone Award and received NABC/USBWA All-District honors during his freshman year.
First-team All-ACC & ACC Rookie of the Year
Named to the All-ACC First Team and was voted ACC Rookie of the Year for 2021–22.
Named AP All-American (third-team / consensus second-team noted)
Received national All-America recognition during his freshman season (AP citations list third-team; consensus lists second-team in some sources).
Scored 22 in NCAA Sweet 16 vs Texas Tech
Scored 22 points in a key Sweet 16 win helping Duke advance to the Elite Eight.
Declared for 2022 NBA Draft (forgoing remaining eligibility)
After one collegiate season, Banchero declared for the NBA draft and forfeited remaining college eligibility.
Mistaken live interview at Miami Grand Prix
Was mistakenly interviewed live by Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle, who believed he was speaking with Patrick Mahomes.
Selected 1st overall in 2022 NBA Draft by Orlando Magic
Drafted with the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic (selection surprised some who expected Jabari Smith Jr.).
Summer League debut: 17 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists
Made his NBA Summer League debut vs Houston Rockets scoring 17 points with 4 rebounds and 6 assists in a 91–77 win.
DWI-related charge dropped
Charges against Banchero were dropped after the teammate pled guilty to DUI.
Preseason debut for Orlando Magic
Preseason debut: 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Regular-season NBA debut — 27 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists
Scored 27 points with 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks in NBA regular-season debut vs Detroit Pistons; first player since LeBron James to record at least 25/5/5 in an NBA debut.
33 points, 16 rebounds — joined LeBron as only teenagers with 30/15
Recorded 33 points and 16 rebounds vs Sacramento Kings; became the second teenager in NBA history with a 30/15 game (joining LeBron James).
Named to NBA All-Rookie First Team
Included on the NBA's 2022–23 All-Rookie First Team following his rookie campaign.
Named 2022–23 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year
Awarded the NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2022–23 season and named to the All-Rookie First Team.
Finished rookie season averaging 20.0 PPG
Completed his rookie season (2022–23) averaging 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game across 72 games.
Opted to play for USA at 2023 FIBA World Cup
Chose to represent the United States at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup rather than Italy; sparked controversy with Italian federation leadership.
Game-winning layup vs. Utah Jazz (Nov 2, 2023)
Scored 30 points and the game-winning layup in a 115–113 win over the Jazz.
25-10 double-double vs. Lakers
Recorded a 25-point, 10-assist performance with seven rebounds leading Orlando to a 120–101 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Then career-high 42 points vs. Cavaliers
Scored a then career-high 42 points in a 121–111 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
NBA All-Star appearance (2024)
Appeared in his first NBA All-Star Game (Eastern Conference reserve).
Then career-high 43 points in double overtime
Scored a then career-high 43 points in a 138–135 double-overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings.
Recorded first NBA triple-double
Posted 30 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists (and 3 steals) in a 122–120 win over the Denver Nuggets — his first career triple-double.
Named to his first NBA All-Star Game (reserve)
Selected as an Eastern Conference reserve for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.
NBA Playoffs debut (Game 1) — 24 points
Played his first career postseason game (Game 1 vs Cleveland) with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, despite 9 turnovers.
Dominant Game 3 performance in playoffs — 31 points, 14 rebounds
Led Orlando to a 121–83 win over Cleveland with 31 points and 14 rebounds to even the series.
Playoff career-high 39 points in Game 5
Scored a playoff career-high 39 points with 8 rebounds and 4 assists in a 104–103 loss to Cleveland in Game 5.
38 points, 16 rebounds in Game 7 loss (close-out)
Scored 38 points and a playoff career-high 16 rebounds in Game 7 close-out loss to the Cavaliers; Orlando lost the series in seven games.
2024–25 season opener — 33 points and 11 rebounds
Scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds vs Miami Heat; joined franchise legends Shaquille O'Neal and Tracy McGrady with a 30/10 season opener.
Career-high 50 points vs. Indiana Pacers
Produced a career-high 50 points, along with 13 rebounds and 9 assists in a 119–115 win — fourth 50-point game in Magic history.
Suffered torn right-side oblique
Sustained a torn oblique in a game vs the Chicago Bulls; initially played through pain and later missed time.
Injury diagnosis made public; expected multi-week absence
Medical update: diagnosed with a torn oblique and expected to be re-examined 4–6 weeks after initial diagnosis; out indefinitely.
Returned from 34-game absence — 34 points
Returned to the Magic lineup on Jan 10, 2025, scoring 34 points and adding seven rebounds in a 109–106 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
36 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists vs Atlanta
Scored 36 points with 10 rebounds and 5 assists; became one of the few Magic players (with O'Neal and McGrady) to record multiple 35/10/5 games.
Accumulated at least $34.8M in NBA earnings (reported)
Basketball-Reference notes Paolo has made at least $34,824,000 playing professional basketball (cumulative earnings figure as of 2025 reporting).
2024–25 regular season stats — averaged 25.9 PPG
Through 46 games in 2024–25 before playoffs, he averaged a career-high 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
Signed five-year rookie max extension with Orlando Magic (reported $239M)
Agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Orlando Magic reported at $239 million (reports noted potential to reach $287M in incentives).
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