Orlando Magic forward Paolo Panchero was named the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year.
For his accomplishments, he would be awarded the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy by the league.
Banchero joins Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93) and Mike Miller (2000-01) as the only Orlando Magic players to be named NBA Rookie of the Year.
Banchero received 494 points (98 first-place votes) from a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters.
Selected in the first round (first overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft, Banchero has played and started in 72 games this season with Orlando, averaging 20.0 ppg. , 6.9 rpg. and 3.7 apg. at 33.7 minutes per gallon. He ranks among all NBA leaders in rebounding (T-38) and minutes played (T-37). Panchero led all NBA rookies in scoring and minutes played, while also ranking among the rookie leaders in rebounding (fifth), assists (third), free throw percentage (seventh), steals (fourth) and blocked shots (seventh).
Banchero became just the sixth NBA freshman in the last 50 seasons (since 1973-1974) to average 20+ ppg. , 6+ rpg. and 3+ apg. (at least 50 games). He scored over 20 points 40 times and over 30 points six times this season, the most by any rookie in the NBA. The 40-plus-point games are second in team history (O’Neal, 60, 1992-93) and tied for fifth in NBA history for most 20-plus-point games by a rookie 20-or-younger. Banchero’s six 30-plus games were also the second-most by a rookie in team history (O’Neal, 10, 1992-93).
Panchero was named the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month four times in a row from December 2022 to March/April 2023, joining Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93) as the only player in franchise history to win the honor four consecutive times.
The Wilt Chamberlain Trophy features a player who knocks two balls out of the basket at once. Chamberlain’s 1959-60 season is unequaled in the NBA. He averaged 37.6 ppg. and 27.0 RPG. at 46.4 minutes per gallon. for the Philadelphia Warriors, winning Rookie of the Year and MVP awards. His career highlights include two NBA championships, 13 NBA All-Star selections, four league MVP selections, 10 All-NBA Team selections, an NBA Finals MVP and being included in the league’s 35th, 50th, and 75th teams.