The Orlando Magic selected Paolo Banchero as the first pick in the 2022 NBA Draft on Thursday at the Barclays Center in New York.
The 19-year-old forward represented Duke University’s Blue Devils, averaging 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 39 starts. Magic had an underwhelming campaign last season, finishing bottom of the Eastern Conference, with the second worst record in the NBA at 22-60.
"I don't even know what to say. I can't believe what just happened," said Banchero.
"I wanted to be in the NBA but I didn't know I would be here."
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Banchero became the fifth Duke player to be the number one overall pick, but it was a surprise selection by Orlando. Many experts tipped Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr to be drafted first.
The Magic are betting a lot on their future with Banchero, with Sportrac reporting that he will sign a two-year $22.3 million contract that includes two team options which top the deal out at $49.4 million over four years.
He was followed by Chet Hollmgrem, who was drafted by Oklahoma City Thunder before Smith Jr was selected by Houston Rockets. While there was surprise at Banchero being picked first, the top three projected players went off the board first, even if it wasn’t the order that was expected.
Great Britain had a star feature in the top 10 as Jeremy Sochan, who grew up in Southampton and Milton Keynes, was selected by the San Antonio Spurs as the No 9 pick.
NBA Draft 2022 lottery picks
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No 1: Orlando Magic picks Paolo Banchero (Duke)
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No 2: OKC Thunder picks Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga)
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No 3: Houston Rockets picks Jabari Smith Jr. (Auburn)
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No 4: Sacramento Kings picks Keegan Murray (Iowa)
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No 5: Detroit Pistons picks Jaden Ivey (Purdue)
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No 6: Indiana Pacers picks Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona)
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No 7: Portland Trail Blazers picks Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky)
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No 8: New Orleans Pelicans picks Dyson Daniels (G League Ignite)
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No 9: San Antonio Spurs picks Jeremy Sochan (Baylor)
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No 10: Washington Wizards picks Johnny Davis (Wisconsin)
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No 11: New York Knicks draft Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand Breakers) — Traded to OKC Thunder
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No 12: Oklahoma City Thunder picks Jalen Williams (Santa Clara)
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No 13: Charlotte Hornets picks Jalen Duren (Memphis) — Traded to Detroit Pistons
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No 14: Cleveland Cavaliers picks Ochai Agbaji (Kansas)
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No 15: Charlotte Hornets picks Mark Williams (Duke)
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject to Change
