Paolo Banchero met own expectations in historic rookie season with Magic

As the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero faced a plethora of expectations — internally and externally.

He met his own exceptions as a rookie while exceeding others.

“I wouldn’t say I exceeded them but I definitely met them,” Banchero said. “I did everything I wanted to do in my first year. It’s definitely time to take it to another level this next year. That’s what I’m excited about.”

While shifting his focus to his offseason work, Banchero also took time to reflect on the season that led to him being the betting favorite for Rookie of the Year.

With averages of 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists, he became the 12th rookie in the league’s history to average at least 20 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists for a season.

At 33.8 minutes, Banchero averaged the third-fewest minutes among that group.

Walter Davis (1977-78), Larry Bird (1979-80), Michael Jordan (1984-85), Blake Griffin (2010-11) and Luka Dončić (2018-19) are the only players to reach those statistical benchmarks as rookies since the 1976-77 campaign — the first season after the NBA-ABA merger.

Banchero was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month four consecutive times, a feat only Shaquille O’Neal achieved in the Magic’s history.

“It’s super encouraging knowing you can come into this league as a rookie and be successful, earn the respect of guys who’ve been in the league,” Banchero said.

His rookie season didn’t come without hiccups despite the historic statistical production and being a significant factor behind Orlando’s 12-win improvement from last season.

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Banchero averaged 16.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 11 February games — a month in which he made only 1 of 33 3-pointers (3%).

Part of that slump could be attributed to the “nerve damage” Banchero revealed in early April that he suffered in his right arm/hand (shooting hand) during the Magic’s Jan. 30 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

But he bounced back, averaging 20.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists and shooting 38.7% on 3s (24 of 62) in his final 17 games.

“In terms of being able to have success but also learn a lot and deal with not having success and then bounce back, I’d give myself an ‘A’ on that just being able to handle the highs and lows of the season,” Banchero responded when asked what grade he’d give his rookie season. “Obviously, there’s stuff I didn’t do that I will do in the future and stuff I got to get better at. In terms of just coming in as the No. 1 pick not knowing what to expect in terms of life on the court and life off the court, kind of come in nose wide open, I handled it pretty well.”

One of the most encouraging parts for Banchero: he’s only 20 years old and still has plenty of room to develop in all areas of the game.

“There’s so many ways in which he can grow,” coach Jamahl Mosley said. “A lot of times rookies will come in and they’ll try to do everything. The biggest thing I talk with him about is just to have a level of focus on one or two pieces for the summer. Where he can improve in certain areas. He’s going to work. I don’t think that’s going to be any question whatsoever. But now it’s the tightened-up focus on the small details of things and how we can improve there. The more he can just focus on one or two things for the summer will improve him highly.”