Rookie Of The Year Favorite Paolo Banchero Understands Bigger Picture

Shut down for Summer League with focus on regular season

Paolo Banchero's Summer League is done, but his career is just beginning.

The No. 1 overall pick and favorite to win Rookie of the Year (+360 on FanDuel), averaged 20 points, 5 boards, and 6 assists before the Magic decided two games was enough, shutting him down to evaluate other players who are with them this summer and see who might merit a roster spot or G League opportunity.

Banchero has plenty of high expectations heading into the year, and the real gauge for what type of career he'll have comes against real NBA competition, so limiting any unnecessary risk was a no-brainer.

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The Big Picture

There's good reason for Banchero to be the current favorite to win Rookie of the Year, and it goes far beyond just having the top-pick status.

With an NBA-ready game and mindset that clearly shows he's coachable, the upside is limitless right now for the former Duke Blue Devil.

"His understanding of what he needs to do in certain situations, the concepts that we're preaching offensively and defensively, he's grasping on to those," Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said, per the Orlando Sentinel. "Watching film together, he's observing those things. He explains to me the things that he sees on the floor. It's only two games, but you're watching those film sessions and you realize how he's registering all of it. So that's how you can make the judgment that it's time [to] let these other guys get those moments."

A high basketball IQ mixed with the size (6'10, 250) and versatile game needed in today's NBA, coupled with what will likely be a huge role instantly in Orlando is exactly what's needed to come out as the best rookie when the season is over.

It's a loaded rookie class for sure, but while some may take time to adjust to the NBA level, Banchero looks ready to jump right in and show why after all the chaos leading up to draft night, the Magic made the right choice.