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Paolo Banchero is the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, selected by the Orlando Magic ahead of Chet Holmgren for Oklahoma City and Jabari Smith in Houston. Banchero said after the choice: "I can't believe what just happened.
I never thought it could happen, it's incredible, and now I'm really speechless. Coach Krzyzewski? The person who made me a man, in a spent years away from home, away from my family. H e caught me when I had to be revived, he encouraged me when I did well: I owe him a lot.
I want to bring a winning mentality, a great work ethic, I'm ready to get to work with my new mates. I couldn't be happier to be a member of the Orlando Magic. This is one of the best moments of my life, I'm so happy. Five minutes before the choice, my agent told me: Be prepared for anything, even if he wasn't sure of anything yet.
Then, 20-30 seconds before the call came, he said: Congratulations. At that point he knew it! I want to be a leader for the Magic, but I want to be accepted by my teammates, I want to learn from them. I expect to have a great year, there will be ups and downs, it will not always go very well but I have faith in myself."
Paolo Banchero's College career
Paolo Banchero is the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, selected by the Orlando Magic ahead of Chet Holmgren for Oklahoma City and Jabari Smith in Houston.
Mario Banchero, Paolo's father, played college football for the Washington Huskies before giving up the sport and opening a butcher's shop selling Italian sausages in Seattle. Rhonda Smith, Paolo's mother, played for Washington, retiring as the best all-time scorer in the history of the university.
Selected in the WNBA's 2000 Draft, she first worked as a professional before becoming a coach of the Holy Names Academy in Seattle. Very skilled basketball player in every way and from every position, she makes athletic strength another of her strengths.
He said to Sky Sport: "I am convinced that I can prove that I am the best player among the talent coming to the NBA and that I have versatility and vision on my side."