In an announcement that came as a shock to absolutely nobody, Paolo Banchero has now officially been crowned the NBA’s Rookie of the Year.
The youngster averaged 20.0 points per game in his maiden season and looked every inch the franchise savior the Orlando Magic hoped he would be when they drafted him.
Being a first overall pick and winning the Rookie of the Year award brings with it lofty expectations. And Banchero is going to be no different as he prepares for his second year. Everyone has anointed him the future star and he has placed himself with some historically good rookie seasons.
So what does he have for an encore? What is in store for his sophomore season now?
The sky is the limit for Paolo Banchero after winning Rookie of the Year. As a result, so too are the expectations that will be bestowed upon him in his sophomore outing with the Orlando Magic.
How good Banchero is going to be, and how soon, remains to be seen. But there is also no doubt he will have a lot of help in reaching his full potential.
Coach Jamahl Mosley is building an offensive scheme around Banchero’s strengths (he led the team in usage as a rookie), and he has some teammates who will be there to help.
Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter are two such names. But Banchero already knows the roster is constructed in such a way that his strengths are highlighted as often as possible. The Magic will have to continue to do that as they add to their roster and develop the young players that made this season so fun.
We are only just scratching the surface as to how good he can be. The only question really is: Just how big a leap Banchero will take in the 2023-24 season? And what does Banchero need to do to level up himself and get closer to the company he kept as a rookie.