Orlando Magic’s Paulo Panchero has become the NBA’s MVP after dominating all of his new teammates this season, winning the award almost unanimously, it was announced Tuesday night.
With this award, the 20-year-old became the fourth former Duke basketball player to win the honor. This means that the Blue Devils have the second collegiate program to export the most awarded rookies while making their NBA debuts, and the best in the last 30 years.
There are now 4 former Duke players to win Rookie of the Year
Paolo Panchero
Kyrie Irving
Elton Brand
Grant Hill pic.twitter.com/K95qX2JeuqBlue Devils April 25, 2023
Banchero now joins the elite roster of former Duke players made up of Grant Hill (1994), Elton Brand (1999) and Kyrie Irving (2011).
Prior to his arrival at Durham, the young star was ranked third overall in the ESPN 100 rankings for the Class of 2021, but he was ranked No. 1 in his position. Prior to that, he attended O’Dea High School at the time, becoming the first Blue Devil from Washington State since Quinn Snyder, now the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks.
“He looked at me and asked if I was going to be rookie of the year,” Panchero recalled of Snyder. “I confidently said yes. It was just a goal I had always dreamed of, something I had been focused on since the second time I was recruited. I am glad I was able to do it.”
After being selected #1 overall by Orlando in the NBA draft last year, he averaged 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 72 games in his debut. His first game as a pro saw him drop 27 points, win 9 rebounds, throw 5 assists and earn 2 blocks, becoming the first athlete since LeBron James with a 25/5/5 base streak in an NBA debut.
Then again on November 5, the then 19-year-old scored 33 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, also joining the Lakers star as just the second teen to score 30 or more points with at least 15 rebounds guaranteed in the official league. match.
Take a look at the highlights from the NCAA Tournament’s recent campaign as a Blue Devil:
Banshiro and his coach, Mosley, agree that he still has many areas to improve
“He had the ability to adapt in the game to whatever was asked of him to influence a win,” admitted his coach Jamal Moseley. “I think there are many ways he can grow. I think beginners will come in more often and try to do everything.
“The biggest conversation with him is focusing on one or two pieces for the summer, when he can improve in certain areas — because he’s going to work. I don’t think that’s going to be any question at all.”
The player has scored 40 contests with more than 20 points to his name and six of them have been with at least 30, the second most by any Orlando rookie. He was also named the Kia Eastern Conference Rookie of the Year four times in a row, joining Shaquille O’Neal who did the same from November 1992 to February 1993.
“I want to be more consistent and more dangerous than the 3-point range next season,” Panchero admitted. “There have been stretches during this year where I hit the ball really well.
“I just need to find consistency. I think broaden my range in year two and then get in the best shape I can – I think I’ve been in great shape this year, but I just want to take it to another level. To get to where I want to be.” “Everything has to be lifted a little bit. I’m looking forward to that.”