The Orlando Magic are a team on the rise in the Eastern Conference of the NBA, and much of their recent performances are driven by star forward, Paolo Banchero.
Banchero was selected out of Duke with the No. 1 overall pick in 2022 by the Magic.
If it were left to ESPN, Banchero wouldn’t have made the top three, and he’s taken a playful jibe at ESPN, reminding them of where they ranked him in 2021.
Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero Reminds Everyone About ESPN’s Misjudgement
Banchero’s highlights from high school resurfaced on social media, and fans are mesmerized by the insane reels. The ex-Duke star used the opportunity to remind everyone about ESPN’s rankings four years ago.
On his X page, he quoted the highlights reel with “and espn had me ranked 4th in my class🤣🤣🤣.”
and espn had me ranked 4th in my class🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/tAb8ONRTa2
— Paolo Banchero (@Pp_doesit) May 17, 2025
In 2021, ESPN placed Banchero behind Chet Holmgren, Jaden Hardy, and Emoni Bates. Banchero would later become the No. 1 overall pick and has since gone on to be one of the NBA’s brightest young talents, and earning himself an NBA All-Star selection.
Since entering the league in 2022, Banchero’s career has been on the rise, and he claimed the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2023 and earned his first All-Star nod in 2024.
In the 24-25 regular season, despite missing part of the year with a torn oblique, he posted impressive numbers, averaging 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, with efficient shooting splits of 45.2% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc.
Banchero has led Magic to consecutive playoff appearances and they posted a franchise-best 47 wins in the 2023-24 season, their highest since 2010-11.
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For comparison, Banchero is faring better individually in the league than those ranked ahead of him by ESPN. It’s been a mixed path for Chet Holmgren, who went No. 2 overall, but he’s currently a key piece for the OKC Thunder as they prepare for a Game 7 battle with the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals.
Jaden Hardy, drafted No. 37 overall and currently with the Dallas Mavericks, has struggled for consistent playing time, averaging 8.7 points over 15.9 minutes per game. Emoni Bates, once touted as a generational talent but drafted No. 49 overall, has seen limited court time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, appearing in only 10 games last season.
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