The NBA is stacked with a whole generation of rising young stars, and Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero is one of them. In just four seasons with the Magic, he has proven himself as their most important player with a solid all-around game and consistent, mature leadership on the floor.
Despite his star status, Paolo has never been marketed or celebrated the same way as some of his peers, and we're finally understanding why. With a special mention to Zion Williamson and Cooper Flagg (fellow No. 1 overall picks), Banchero explained how the COVID-19 pandemic forever changed his standing across the league, and how it has yet to fully recover.
"Both of them (Zion and Flagg) are great players, and all the hype they get is very warranted. I think my situation was a lot different," said Paolo on 'Dawg Talk'. "I came up during COVID, and I think that had a big effect. I didn't get a senior year of High School, really. My whole senior year of High School was online. High School was shut down. No one from my class really got that hype. It was Chet and I really, but COVID kind of clouded all that. We didn't get a McDonald's All-American Game."
Paolo was part of the 2022 draft class, being selected with the first overall pick. Coming from Duke, public opinion was high on Banchero, but not nearly to the degree it usually is for No. 1 picks. Zion Williamson and Anthony Edwards, for example, were the top selections leading up to Paolo's class, and both were treated like future MVP candidates.
Paolo, too, might have gotten a similar treatment had the COVID shutdowns never transpired. His draft class was the most affected by the pandemic, having their senior year shut down and their college season headlined by a raging health crisis. Paolo never got to play in the famed All-American game, and it's just one of the many experiences he missed out on during his transition to the league.
#paolo #zion #game #never
Despite his star status, Paolo has never been marketed or celebrated the same way as some of his peers, and we're finally understanding why. With a special mention to Zion Williamson and Cooper Flagg (fellow No. 1 overall picks), Banchero explained how the COVID-19 pandemic forever changed his standing across the league, and how it has yet to fully recover.
"Both of them (Zion and Flagg) are great players, and all the hype they get is very warranted. I think my situation was a lot different," said Paolo on 'Dawg Talk'. "I came up during COVID, and I think that had a big effect. I didn't get a senior year of High School, really. My whole senior year of High School was online. High School was shut down. No one from my class really got that hype. It was Chet and I really, but COVID kind of clouded all that. We didn't get a McDonald's All-American Game."
Paolo was part of the 2022 draft class, being selected with the first overall pick. Coming from Duke, public opinion was high on Banchero, but not nearly to the degree it usually is for No. 1 picks. Zion Williamson and Anthony Edwards, for example, were the top selections leading up to Paolo's class, and both were treated like future MVP candidates.
Paolo, too, might have gotten a similar treatment had the COVID shutdowns never transpired. His draft class was the most affected by the pandemic, having their senior year shut down and their college season headlined by a raging health crisis. Paolo never got to play in the famed All-American game, and it's just one of the many experiences he missed out on during his transition to the league.
#paolo #zion #game #never
2 months ago
