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The Orlando Magic stunned the NBA world Thursday when they chose Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft. Many speculated the top pick would be either Jabari Smith Jr. or Chet Holmgren.
Banchero played one season at Duke before turning pro. He was the 2022 ACC Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-ACC selection.
He averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in his only season with the Blue Devils.
It’s the 13th straight year a college freshman has been taken No. 1 overall in the NBA.
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Duke forward Paolo Banchero celebrates during the first half of the team’s game against Arkansas in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in San Francisco on March 26, 2022.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
The last Duke player to go No. 1 overall was Zion Williamson in 2019. Before Williamson, it was Kyrie Irving in 2011.
The Magic had the No. 1 overall pick three other times — in 2004, 1993, and 1992. The Magic selected Dwight Howard in 2004, Chris Webber in 1993, and Shaquille O’Neal in 1992. Orlando traded Webber to the Golden State Warriors for Penny Hardaway, and three future first-round draft picks.
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Orlando was 22-60 last season and had a 14% chance of getting the No. 1 pick. Orlando had the No. 5 pick last year and selected Jalen Suggs.
The selection stunned NBA fans.
Oklahoma City made Gonzaga’s Holmgren the No. 2 pick.
Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren brings the ball up against Georgia State during the second half of a first-round NCAA college basketball tournament game on March 17, 2022, in Portland, Ore.
(AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer, File)
The 7-foot Holmgren was the 2022 West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game. He’s rated at the top of some mock drafts.
He will join a young Thunder team with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey.
Smith was taken at No. 3 by the Houston Rockets.
He told Yahoo Sports earlier in the day he would be “surprised” if he weren’t selected with the top pick.
“I’ll be surprised if I’m not taken No. 1,” Smith said. “It’s just my competitive nature mixed with my unselfishness and ability to shoot the ball, defend multiple positions, and care about winning.
Auburn forward Jabari Smith (10) shoots a 3-pointer over Vanderbilt guard Jamaine Mann (23) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Feb. 16, 2022, in Auburn, Ala.
(AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
“I don’t care about stats. I feel I can help any team right away. But I feel I’m the No. 1 pick.”
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Smith averaged 16.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in his lone year with the Tigers. He was named the SEC Freshman of the Year and won the Wayman Tisdale Award for being the country’s top men’s freshman basketball player.
The Sacramento Kings selected Keegan Murray at No. 4, and the Detroit Pistons chose Jaden Ivey out of Purdue to complete the top five.
Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].
