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Duke has had a long list of incredible freshmen who are current or former NBA players, including former No. 1 picks Elton Brand, Cooper Flagg, Zion Williamson, Paolo Banchero and Kyrie Irving. Carlos Boozer believes Cameron may be the best freshman to don a Blue Devils jersey. “Cam has had one of the best seasons of any college basketball player,” Carlos Boozer said. “He’s 18. He’s not like a junior that’s 20 years old; he’s been in college for six months. And the kid averaged almost 23 points a game, over 10 rebounds, has dominated the ACC, which is much more competitive than it’s been in recent years. He’s gone against some of the best players. “He’s gone against the Florida frontcourt that people thought was the best in the country, had a 30 ball [actually 29 points] against them and a [win]. He went against Michigan. Other people thought they were the best frontcourt in the country. [Duke] got that win and [he] almost had a triple-double in that game in D.C. He’s taken on all the challenges.”
NBA Communications: Other nominees… West: Devin Booker (PHX), DeMar DeRozan (SAC), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC), Kawhi Leonard (LAC), Austin Reaves (LAL) and Victor Wembanyama (SAS) East: Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane (ORL), Jalen Brunson (NYK), Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren (DET), Brandon Ingram (TOR) and Jalen Johnson (ATL)
Phillip Rossman-Reich: The #Magic made everyone nervous in that fourth quarter, losing what was once a 22-point lead and 15-point lead entering the fourth quarter. But the Magic made enough plays down the stretch and their free throws late to sweep the #Heat 121-117. Paolo Banchero finishes with 27.
Jason Beede: FINAL: #Magic 128, Cavs 122 Desmond Bane scores 35 points, Paolo Banchero notched 25 and Tristan da Silva adds 23. Orlando has won five in a row and returns to Kia Center tomorrow night against Cleveland.
Paolo Banchero didn’t point fingers at the NBA’s Eastern Conference coaches for not selecting him as a reserve. The 2023-24 NBA All-Star also wasn’t frustrated with commissioner Adam Silver for not making him an All-Star replacement. Rather, the Orlando Magic forward blamed himself and used it as motivation to play like one of the NBA’s elite since regular-season play resumed. “I’m always honest with myself,” Banchero told Andscape. “I looked in the mirror first. Over the All-Star break, I watched a lot of film over the early part of the season. I just wasn’t happy with what I put out. Some of that had to do with me being injured and coming back. … “I could’ve had a better mindset, and that was part of it. But I know I’m an All-Star in this league. My confidence is still the same. It’s about being honest with yourself and realizing that you didn’t really deserve to be an All-Star, honestly. It’s about taking that with a grain of salt and being better in the second half of the season.”
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Along with being frustrated with himself, Banchero added that he was “frustrated with the overall state of the team” during the first half of the season. Banchero averaged 21.3 points on 45.4% shooting from the field, 8.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 43 appearances prior to the All-Star break. The Magic’s first-half record, however, didn’t help Banchero’s cause — they opened 1-4 before landing at 28-25 at the break. Injuries have also unquestionably played a role in the Magic’s struggles, as Banchero and fellow starters Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs have each missed significant time. Banchero, the 2022 No. 1 overall pick, missed 10 games with a left groin strain suffered in early December, yet blamed himself for the Magic’s slow start. “As a team, we didn’t really find a rhythm at the start of the year,” Banchero said. “Some of that had to do with me being injured and coming back. Just frustrating in that aspect.”
NBA Communications: Other nominees... West: Devin Booker (PHX), Luka Dončić (LAL), Anthony Edwards (MIN), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC), Jrue Holiday (POR) and Kawhi Leonard (LAC) East: Bam Adebayo (MIA), Paolo Banchero (ORL), Jalen Johnson (ATL) and Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK)
Dillon Brooks gives his opinion on the players ranked above him in the NBA top-50 Joel Embiid: "No, he's too hurt you can probably go to sleep for a straight week and he's probably hurt again" Austin Reaves: "Man a foul baiter" Shaedon Sharpe: "I'm not rating him" Julius Randle: "One of the biggest complainers, he wants all the calls because he plays the most physical him, Zion Williamson and Giannis play so physical" Paolo Banchero: "Down year for Paolo, could be way better he's supposed be LeBron status" LeBron James: "He ain't having a better year than me" Josh Giddey: "Hell no" Rudy Gobert: "Nah" Michael Porter Jr: "He having a good year" Desmond Bane: "That's my young boy" Kon Knueppel: "He's having a good year" Bradon Ingram: "I rate his game all the way" Diontae George: "He's having a great year but he's SOFT" Amen Thompson: "That's my guy" Cooper Flagg: "I rate him.. not a better year than me because if I was with the Mavs would be in the playoff hunt"
Orlando Magic Daily: The #Magic complete a dominant road back-to-back. Tonight's opponent was not as impressive as yesterday's. But the result speaks for itself. Paolo Banchero with 33 points, Desmond Bane with 18 points and nine assists. The #Magic defeat the #Bucks 130-91.
Noa Dalzell: Paolo Banchero said he saw Jayson Tatum in the summer: "You could tell that he was going to try and get back sooner than everybody thought." "He is an inspiration to everybody. For him to do the whole recovery in front of the whole world, and come out last night and have a great game."
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Jason Beede: FINAL: #Magic 119, Timberwolves 92 Desmond Bane totals 30 points (10 for 10 FTs) while Paolo Banchero notches 25 points and 15 rebounds. Orlando, which outscored Minnesota 60-38 in the paint, heads to Milwaukee tomorrow.
Jason Beede: The way the #Magic out-rebounded Minnesota 58-37 really stood out to me. Paolo Banchero led the team with 15 boards, but four others (WCJ, M. Wagner, TDS and Penda) had at least six rebounds. Overall, 10 players grabbed at least two for Orlando.
Jason Beede: FINAL: #Magic 115, Mavs 114 Orlando survives in the closing moments and Dallas can't get a shot off. Tristan da Silva scores 19 off the bench, Jalen Suggs adds 17, Paolo Banchero with 16 and Wendell Carter Jr. with the winner and 15 points.
Grant Afseth: Final: Magic 115, Mavericks 114 Klay Thompson: 24 PTS, 4 REB Khris Middleton: 19 PTS, 7 AST Cooper Flagg: 18 PTS, 6 AST, 4 BLK P.J. Washington: 18 PTS, 5 REB Tristan da Silva: 19 PTS, 3 AST, 3 STL Paolo Banchero: 16 PTS, 12 REB, 6 AST Dallas (21-41) plays Boston on Friday.
