Sports

ORLANDO MAGIC’S PAOLO BANCHERO NAMED NBA ALL-STAR

Orlando, FL – Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has been named to the 2024 NBA All-Star team, the National Basketball Association announced tonight. The 73rd NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, airing on TNT in the United States and reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 50 languages.

Orlando, Florida, USA, November 4, 2023, Orlando Magic player Paolo Banchero #5 shoots a three in the fourth quarter at the Amway Center. (Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis)

The NBA All-Star reserves were selected by the league’s head coaches. This marks the first time that Banchero has been named an NBA All-Star. He becomes the ninth player in Orlando Magic history to be named an NBA All-Star, joining Shaquille O’Neal (1993-96), Anfernee Hardaway (1995-98), Tracy McGrady (2001-04), Grant Hill (2001, 2005), Dwight Howard (2007-12), Rashard Lewis (2009), Jameer Nelson (2009) and Nikola Vučević (2019, 2021).

The first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, and the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year, Banchero has played and started in all 48 games this season for Orlando, averaging a team-high 23.0 ppg., a team-high 7.0 rpg., a team-high 5.0 apg. and 1.04 stlpg. in a team-high 34.9 minpg. He ranks among NBA leaders in scoring (T-24th), rebounding (T-37th) and minutes played (T-21st). Banchero has led (or tied) the Magic in scoring 26 times, in rebounding 15 times and in assists 22 times. He has scored in double figures 46 times, 20+ points 32 times, 30+ points eight times and 40+ points twice, including a career-high 43 points on Jan. 3 @ Sacramento. Banchero was also named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the period ending Nov. 26, 2023.

Back to top button