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The 2022 NBA Draft was held this morning, and the Orlando Magic, unexpectedly for everyone, took Paolo Banchero as number one.
“I do not believe what happened now. I wanted to be in the NBA, but I really did not expect that,” Banchero said after Commissioner Adam Silver first called him on stage.
Paolo Banchero before NBA Draft 2022
Ahead of the draft, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski wrote that Orlando would likely have picked Jabari Smith Jr. as their first pick. Still, things turned out differently: Magic stopped making choices over Banchero. Orlando received great talent in his form, predicted to have a bright career in the NBA. Banchero averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in college. 47.8 percent of his shots from the game were accurate, while he had a 33.8 percent record in three-pointers.
Other Draft Picks of NBA Draft 2022
Smith, who was predicted to be number one, eventually found himself in the Houston Rockets – he was chosen as number three. The second number was Chet Holmgren, who went to Oklahoma City Thunder. Oklahoma was in the spotlight: City Thunder traded Ousmane Dieng (11th pick) for the New York Knicks and selected Jaylin Williams as No. 12. Oklahoma also picked Peyton Watson with their 30th pick.
The TOP 5 was formed as follows: Keegan Murray was chosen as the fourth number, who went to Sacramento, and the fifth – Jaden Ivey, who the Detroit Pistons took.
- Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero 🇮🇹
2. Oklahoma Thunder: Chet Holmgren 🇺🇸
3. Houston Rockets: Jabbari Smith Jr. 🇺🇸
4. Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray 🇺🇸
5. Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey 🇺🇸
6. Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin 🇨🇦
7. Portland Trailblazers: Shaedon Sharpe 🇨🇦
8. New Orleans Pelicans (from the Lakers): Dyson Daniels 🇦🇺
9. San Antonio Spurs: Jeremy Sochan 🇵🇱
10. Washington Wizards: Johnny Davis 🇺🇸
11. New York Knicks (Oklahoma): Ousmane Dieng 🇫🇷
12. Oklahoma Thunder (from the Clippers): Jalen Williams 🇺🇸
13. Charlotte Hornets (New York): Jalen Duren 🇺🇸
14. Cleveland Cavaliers: Ochai Agbaji 🇺🇸