Paolo Banchero began asserting his claim for Rookie of the Year immediately. In his professional debut on October 19, the Orlando Magic rookie forward posted 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists to become the first rookie since LeBron James in 2003 to record a 25-5-5 game in his first appearance. Banchero also joined James as the second teenager in league history to put up at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a game when he tallied 33 and 16 on November 5. He became the third Orlando player to win Rookie of the Year, and the first since 2001. Banchero led all first-year players in scoring with 20 points per game — one of just six rookies since 2000 to reach that threshold. He also averaged 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game as the Magic won 34 games, a 12-game improvement from the previous season. Banchero was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month four times after logging 40 games of at least 20 points and 15 of 25 or more. He was the eighth No. 1 pick of the draft since 2000 to win Rookie of the Year and Banchero’s six games of at least 30 points as a rookie is the second-highest total in franchise history. 

Paolo Banchero

Paolo Banchero remix celebrates 2022-23 Rookie of the Year

Dallas Mavericks breakout star Luka Dončić brings the ball up the court, splits the defense, and drives to the rack for the ferocious one-handed slam against the Denver Nuggets on March 11, 2020.

Luka Dončić

Luka Dončić splits defense for dunk in NBA's final contest before 2020 shutdown

The future is now for Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic. With one of the strongest offensive rookie campaigns in the last decade, Banchero showed why he was worthy of the number one draft pick all season long. A disruptor on both ends of the court against the Indiana Pacers, Banchero first cut off a passing lane by intercepting the ball before running a 2-on-1 break with Franz Wagner, one of two top-10 Orlando picks from 2021. Banchero tallied a team-high 23 points — along with three rebounds, four assists and two steals — in leading the Magic to a 126-120 win on January 25, 2023. A First Team All-Rookie selection, Banchero averaged 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game to become Orlando’s first Rookie of the Year recipient since the 2000-01 season. 

Paolo Banchero intercepts passing lane, runs floor for give-and-go lob

Being the first rookie in 25 years to register four games with at least seven blocks was just one of the accolades that landed Walker Kessler on the First Team All-Rookie squad. The Utah Jazz center led all rookies in blocks and his 2.3 per game average ranked fourth in the NBA despite playing just 23 minutes per contest. Kessler was Utah’s top-rated individual defensive player, and the 22nd overall pick also averaged 9.2 points and 8.4 rebounds on an eye-popping 72 percent shooting across 74 games. In his 40 starts, Kessler’s numbers jumped to 11.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game while being named Western Conference Rookie of the Month in February. He ultimately finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and became the 11th player in franchise history to earn First Team All-Rookie honors. The 7-footer logged 20 double-doubles, including a 20-point, 21-rebound effort on January 16 and added a season-high 31 points with 11 rebounds on March 25 to become the first Jazz rookie to ever post a 30-10 game. Kessler also became the third player in franchise history to block six shots and make a 3-pointer in the same game. 

Walker Kessler

Walker Kessler remix celebrates 2022-23 All-Rookie season

Luka Doncic finds a way. Down two points with 1.8 seconds on the clock against the Memphis Grizzlies, Doncic cuts out to the perimeter to catch an inbound pass from Maxi Kleber, immediately splits through a pair of defenders, then lunges into a game-winning leaner that put the Dallas Mavericks on top as time expired on April 14, 2021.

Luka Dončić ducks past defense for game-winning floater from beyond the arc

The quick release will get you. Standout Sacramento Kings rookie Tyrese Haliburton navigates the perimeter as the clock winds down at the end of the first half of a January 30, 2021 contest, finds his opening and pulls up for a buzzer-beating triple against the Miami Heat.

Tyrese Haliburton

Tyrese Haliburton beats first-half buzzer with contested fadeaway three

The top pick in the 2020 NBA Draft is never more than a few strides away from a poster. Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves blows past his man on the perimeter then drives through the paint to throw down a big-time slam against the Orlando Magic on January 20, 2021.

Anthony Edwards

Anthony Edwards drives and crams after drawing defense

Paolo Banchero left little doubt to this pick. The 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year was the lone unanimous First Team All-Rookie selection after averaging 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game across 72 contests. The 6-foot-10 forward posted 40 games of at least 20 points and reached the 30-point threshold six times, including season-highs of 33 points and 16 rebounds on November 5 — just the 10th game of his professional career. Banchero became just the seventh rookie in league history to average at least 19 points, six rebounds and three assists per game and was the 11th Orlando Magic player to earn an All-Rookie First Team selection. The first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft scored at least 20 points in the first six games of the season and tallied double-digit points in all but four of his games played while logging 14 double-doubles. Banchero was one of just six rookies since 2000 to average at least 20 points per game. 

Paolo Banchero remix celebrates 2022-23 All-Rookie season

Sacramento Kings guard Bogdan Bogdanovic puts the ball on the deck before throwing the beautiful over-the-head pass for a spot-up three from the corner against the Denver Nuggets on October 28, 2019.

Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanović draws defense in paint, throws kickout pass over shoulder

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner has quickly caught the NBA’s attention for his ability to score with ease from all three levels. Here he shows off some deceptive athleticism, turning the corner with speed before climbing the ladder for an emphatic one-handed flush over two members of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Wagner exploded for 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting in a 115-97 win on November 1, 2021.

Franz Wagner

Franz Wagner turns corner and plants poster dunk on Timberwolves

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Paolo Banchero

Luka Dončić

Luka Dončić

Paolo Banchero

Walker Kessler

Luka Dončić

Tyrese Haliburton

Anthony Edwards

Paolo Banchero

Paolo Banchero

Bogdan Bogdanović

Franz Wagner