If you were scrolling through Twitter or watching the betting lines in the summer of 2022, you probably thought you knew exactly how the NBA draft was going to go. Everyone did. The consensus was set in stone: Jabari Smith Jr. to Orlando at number one, Chet Holmgren to OKC at two, and Paolo Banchero sliding to Houston at three.
But then, the world of basketball got a massive reality check.
So, when was Paolo Banchero drafted? The Seattle native and Duke standout was selected with the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, which took place on June 23, 2022. It wasn't just a selection; it was a total curveball that left analysts and even Banchero himself a little bit stunned.
The Night the Magic Stunned the League
Honestly, the lead-up to the 2022 draft was a masterclass in "don't believe everything you read." For weeks, every major mock draft had Jabari Smith Jr. as the lock for the Orlando Magic. The betting odds were so skewed that Banchero was a massive underdog to go first.
Then, about an hour before the commissioner walked onto the stage at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, things got weird.
The odds started shifting. Rumors began flying that the Magic front office—led by Jeff Weltman and John Hammond—had been playing a high-stakes game of poker. They hadn't even brought Banchero in for a formal workout in Orlando, which is usually a dead giveaway that a team isn't interested. Instead, they relied on deep scouting, zoom calls, and his performance under the bright lights at Duke.
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When Adam Silver finally announced, "With the first pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic select Paolo Banchero," the room gasped. It was a genuine "where were you" moment for Magic fans.
Why the 2022 Draft Was Such a Big Deal
You've gotta understand the context of that year's talent pool. Most years, there’s a clear-cut "generational" guy like Victor Wembanyama or LeBron James. In 2022, it was a three-horse race between Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr., and Banchero.
The Magic chose Paolo because of his "pro-ready" frame and shot-making ability. Standing 6'10" and weighing 250 pounds, he wasn't just a prospect; he was a finished product in terms of physicality.
- Date of Draft: June 23, 2022
- Draft Position: 1st Round, 1st Overall Pick
- Drafting Team: Orlando Magic
- College: Duke (Freshman Year)
Basically, Orlando wanted a "point-forward"—someone who could carry the scoring load but also facilitate for others. While Jabari was the better shooter and Chet was the defensive unicorn, Banchero was the engine. He had that "alpha" personality that the Magic hadn't seen since the days of Dwight Howard or Shaq.
The Duke Pedigree
Banchero wasn't a nobody coming into the draft. He had just finished a stellar freshman season at Duke, where he averaged 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds. He led the Blue Devils to the Final Four in Coach K’s final season, proving he could handle the pressure of being the main guy on a massive stage.
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People often forget how much he outplayed his peers in college. He went head-to-head with Chet Holmgren early in that season and dominated the physical matchup. That game probably stayed in the minds of NBA scouts more than any workout ever could.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Selection
There’s this common misconception that Banchero was a "consolation prize" or that the Magic panicked. In reality, the Orlando front office is notoriously tight-lipped. They didn't leak anything. They let the media convince themselves that Smith was the pick so they could operate in total silence.
Some critics at the time pointed to Banchero's "sweat condition"—a rare issue where he lost heavy amounts of fluid during games—as a reason he might slide. But the Magic doctors cleared him, and frankly, it hasn't hindered him one bit since he entered the league.
The Aftermath: Was He the Right Choice?
Fast forward to 2026, and the answer is a resounding yes. Banchero didn't just meet expectations; he blew them out of the water. He won the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year by a landslide, becoming the first player since LeBron James to post at least 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in his NBA debut.
He made his first All-Star team in 2024 and has since turned the Orlando Magic from a lottery team into a legitimate Eastern Conference threat. Looking back at the 2022 draft board today, even with the rise of guys like Jalen Williams (who went 12th!) and Chet Holmgren's impact in OKC, Banchero remains the cornerstone you build a franchise around.
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Key Facts and Stats from Banchero’s Draft Year
If you're a stats nerd or just trying to win a bar argument, here are the raw numbers from his transition year. In his final season at Duke, he shot nearly 48% from the field. He wasn't just a dunker; he had a refined mid-range game that looked like a carbon copy of Carmelo Anthony.
During his rookie NBA season (2022-23), he averaged 20.0 points per game. That’s a benchmark very few rookies ever hit. To put that in perspective, he joined an elite list of names like Michael Jordan and Zion Williamson who hit the ground running with that kind of scoring volume.
Moving Forward With Paolo
Knowing when Paolo Banchero was drafted is just the start of the story. If you're looking to follow his career now that he's established as a superstar, your best bet is to track his advanced metrics—specifically his "Usage Rate" and "Assist Percentage." He’s evolved from a pure scorer into a primary playmaker.
If you're a collector or a fan, keep an eye on his 2022-23 Panini Prizm rookie cards. Because he was such a "surprise" number one pick, the initial market was a bit chaotic, but his sustained excellence has made those cards some of the most sought-after modern basketball assets.
Keep watching the Magic’s injury reports and lineup rotations. The team has built a massive, tall roster around him, utilizing his ability to guard multiple positions. He's no longer just the kid from the 2022 draft; he's the face of a new era in Orlando.
To get the most out of following Paolo Banchero's career, you should focus on watching his late-game decision-making. He has a knack for taking over in the fourth quarter, a trait that the Magic front office saw in him way back in June 2022.