Italian Paolo Banchero selected No. 1 overall pick in NBA draft, Jovic at 27

2022-06-24 01:56
Credit: USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix
Credit USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix

Paolo Banchero never saw himself being the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft.

However, Banchero will always be recalled as the first player picked in the 2022 festivities after the Orlando Magic selected the Duke forward first overall in the NBA Draft on Thursday night in New York.

Polish-American forward Jeremy Sochan went 9th overall to the San Antonio Spurs. He has already played for the Polish national team in the EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers in 2021 where he scored 18 points and grabbed 3 rebounds for 20 PIR in a win against Romania.

2-pointers this season

51%
26,1
Points made: 26,1
Accuracy: 50,7%
Place in standings: 25
Record max: 38
Record min: 15
Most made 2FGs: Wendell Carter

French big Ousmane Dieng got selected 11th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who received the pick from the New York Knicks. Serbian talent Nikola Jovic went with the 27th overall pick to the Miami Heat.

Italian forward Gabriele Procida was selected at the 36th spot by the Detroit Pistons. French big man Moussa Diabate went 43rd overall to the Los Angeles Clippers. Another French center, Ismael Kamagate, went to the Denver Nuggets with pick no. 46.

Another Italian, Matteo Spagnolo, went 50th overall to Minnesota Timberwolves. Croatian prospect Karlo Matkovic went 52nd to the New Orleans Pelicans. French forward Hugo Besson was the last, 58th, pick of the draft and went to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Filipino hopeful Kai Sotto was not selected in the draft.

A couple minutes prior to the start of the draft, Banchero's agent, former NBA player Mike Miller, told him to be ready for anything.

That refrain suddenly had meaning to Banchero when the Magic turned in the pick.

"About 20 to 30 seconds before the commissioner (Adam Silver) went out to announce the pick, (Miller) looked at me and said, 'Congratulations,'" Banchero said on ABC.

Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren went second overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Auburn forward Jabari Smith was taken third by the Houston Rockets.

The 6-foot-10 Banchero averaged 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in his one college season. He also contributed defensively with 41 steals and 36 blocked shots.

Banchero is the fifth Duke player to be the No. 1 overall pick. The others were Art Heyman (1963 by the New York Knicks), Elton Brand (1999 by Bulls), Kyrie Irving (2011, Cavaliers) and Zion Williamson (2019, Pelicans).

"I can't believe what just happened, honestly," Banchero said. "I never would have thought this would happen. I wanted to be in the NBA, I didn't know I would be (No. 1). This is unbelievable."

The Magic selected first overall in the NBA Draft for the fourth time. Orlando drafted Shaquille O'Neal in 1992, Chris Webber (traded to the Golden State Warriors) in 1993 and Dwight Howard in 2004.

The Magic went 22-60 last season, the second-worst record in the NBA. Orlando won the right to pick first in the draft lottery.

Holmgren is the highest draft pick produced by Gonzaga. The previous best was Adam Morrison, who went third overall in 2006 to the then-Charlotte Bobcats.

"It's a mix of 1,000 emotions and yet I have zero words to explain it," Holmgren said. "Everything I've looked forward to for a long time, OKC Thunder, let's work, let's work."

Holmgren averaged 14.1 points and 9.9 rebounds and matched the school record of 117 blocks in his lone college season. Brandon Clarke, now with the Memphis Grizzlies, set the mark in the 2018-19 season.

Smith was billed by many draft experts as the probable No. 1 overall pick but didn't seem the least bit dismayed about going third. He will have a chance to make an immediate impact with the Rockets, who were a league-worst 20-62 last season.

"I can fit any NBA system with my shooting ability and my love for defense," Smith said. "I can come right in and make an instant impact."

Smith, who averaged 16.9 points and 7.4 rebounds for the Tigers, is the highest-drafted player in Auburn history. Chuck Person (1986, Pacers) and Chris Morris (1988, Nets) both went fourth.

The Sacramento Kings tabbed Iowa forward Keegan Murray with the fourth selection. The 6-foot-8 Murray is the first Iowa player to be chosen in the first round since Ricky Davis in 1998.

"They are getting a winner, first and foremost," Murray said of going to the Kings. "I'm very versatile. I hit a late growth spurt so I have a lot of room to grow in my game and I'm excited to get to that."

The Detroit Pistons took 6-foot-4 guard Jaden Ivey out of Purdue with the No. 5 pick.

Ivey grew up around women's basketball, as he is the son of former WNBA player and current Notre Dame women's basketball coach Niele Ivey.

"I worked day in and day out just to get this level," said a highly emotional Jaden Ivey. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for (my mother). I'm just so happy."

Niele Ivey said, "This is his dream come true. For him to walk on this stage, I'm so joyful and I'm so happy for him."

The Indiana Pacers picked sixth and took Arizona swingman Bennedict Mathurin, and the Portland Trail Blazers chose Kentucky guard Shaedon Sharpe with the seventh pick.

Mathurin was the Pac-12 Player of the Year. Sharpe's abilities are a bit of an unknown commodity since he was a highly acclaimed recruit who practiced with Kentucky last season but decided not to play in games.

"I think I still should be a mystery because you haven't seen me for a year," Sharpe said, "but I can't get wait to get started. It's going to be a ride, for real."

Australian guard Dyson Daniels, who played with G League Ignite last season, went eighth to the New Orleans Pelicans. Baylor forward Jeremy Sochan went ninth to the San Antonio Spurs, and Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis was selected 10th by the Washington Wizards.

French forward Ousmane Dieng went 11th to the New York Knicks but is reportedly on his way to Oklahoma City in a trade.

The Thunder were on the board at No. 12 and chose guard Jalen Williams, who became the first Santa Clara player to be drafted since legendary Steve Nash went 15th overall to the Phoenix Suns in 1996.

"It's an honor to even be in that conversation with him," Williams said of Nash, a two-time NBA MVP. "It's really a blessing and kind of a dream come true."

Memphis center Jalen Duren was selected 13th by the Charlotte Hornets but reportedly will be traded to the Detroit Pistons.

Kansas star Ochai Agbaji went to the Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 14. Agbaji averaged 18.8 points as the star player for the national champion Jayhawks.

The Hornets picked Duke center Mark Williams at No. 15, and the Atlanta Hawks chose Duke forward A.J. Griffin at No. 16. LSU forward Tari Eason went to the Rockets at No. 17, and the Chicago Bulls used the 18th pick on Arizona guard Dalen Terry.

1.

Paolo Banchero

PF/C | 208 cm | 19 y.o. | Orlando Magic

A versatile scorer who can post up and feast inside off lobs and cuts. He can also operate outside. He grew up playing guard, growing from 6-foot-1 at the start of seventh grade to almost 6-foot-5 by the end. Now he stands at nearly 7 feet, ripping down defensive boards and still going coast to coast.

Fluid ball handler with good footwork. He changes pace and has some shake while mixing in hesitation moves using his left hand. With his size, he could thrive facilitating from the elbows.

Shot selection could stand to improve. Sometimes he drives with a plan to shoot rather than reading the floor and waiting to make his choice. It’s a coachable flaw.

Prefers to finish using his right hand. Needs to improve his off-hand to get even better scoring inside. 

2.

Chet Holmgren

PF | 213 cm | 20 y.o. | Oklahoma City Thunder

Elite ambidextrous shot blocker with incredible coordination. His mere presence deters players from challenging the paint. He has a desire to stop opponents from scoring and will put his body on the line to make a play.

In the half-court, he’s an attentive cutter who elevates quickly around the rim as a finisher. And on the break, he runs the floor hard and also has a knack for trailing catch-and-shoot 3s.

Elite interior finisher. He can use either his left or right hand, plus he elevates quickly.

However, his skinny frame hurts him as a post defender. Smaller guys are able to back him down. He needs to get much stronger in general, especially to have any hope of battling talents like Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic.

3.

Jabari Smith Jr.

PF | 208 cm | 19 y.o. | Houston Rockets

Lethal spot-up shooter with an undeniable jump shot. An NBA offense will be able to install countless wrinkles to allow Smith's perimeter talents to flourish. Auburn didn’t run him off many screens or handoffs, but he looked comfortable setting his feet then turning to shoot.

Sets a tone with his defense. He brings constant energy. He competes, flies around the floor, fights through screens, and rotates to help in the paint. On-ball, he has flashed some lockdown potential across positions. With his length, versatility, and mindset, he has the upside to make All-Defensive teams.

Rim protection is about his only notable weakness on defense. He is tall but not much of a presence defending the paint. But that's not his role. 

4.

Keegan Murray

PF/C | 203 cm | 21 y.o. | Sacramento Kings

A super versatile on-ball defender who can handle wings and bigs, and possibly serve as a small-ball center. With his positional instincts, intelligence, and length he could just be starting to tap into his defensive potential.

A skilled scorer who can pick-and-pop for 3s or run off screens. Though he isn’t an ankle-breaker off the dribble, he has excellent body control.

An older prospect who will be 22 as a rookie. Nor is he a tremendous athlete at a position where there are many of them. Lacks significant experience playing against high-level competition that could expose his flaws.

5.

Jaden Ivey

PG/SG | 193 cm | 20 y.o. | Detroit Pistons

Dynamic shot creator out of isolations and pick-and-rolls. He has one of the quickest first steps in the draft. He can use stepbacks or pull-ups for jumpers. He makes 33.3 percent of his 3s off the dribble. And he shot 35.5 percent on catch-and-shoot 3s this season, according to Synergy.

Often falls asleep on defense, losing track of his man. He stands there doing nothing a lot of the time as if he's tired, apathetic, or both.

Struggled to shoot 3s as a freshman. Though his improvement seems to be for real, we have seen outlier shooting seasons in the past.

6.

Bennedict Mathurin

SG/SF | 201 cm | 20 y.o. | Indiana Pacers

His role was to spot up and shoot 3s during his freshman season and he drilled 41.8 percent of them. As a sophomore, he was asked to do a lot more but he still made 38.3 percent of his catch-and-shoot triples, which includes a large number on extremely high difficulty.

Fans will love watching him run the break. He’s always ready to run ahead of the defense, eager to turn stops into points. He can drain 3s or throw down explosive dunks when he has space to launch.

Defensive consistency is his biggest issue right now. He has lockdown moments, but lacks proper footwork on simple stuff like closeouts. He’s slow to fight over on-ball screens.

7.

Shaedon Sharpe

SG | 196 cm | 19 y.o. | Portland Trail Blazers

Blossomed physically as a high school junior, sprouting from 6-foot-4 to 6-foot-6. He’s an above-the-rim athlete who skies for dunks in space and blocks on the break.

Good ball handler with an advanced layup package. If he drives baseline and gets contested, he can soar underneath and score on a reverse from the other side. Shoots the hell out of the ball. He can drain jumpers out of isolation using a variety of moves.

Sharpe didn't play basketball at Kentucky, electing to sit out the year to better prepare for next season. He already lacked significant big-game exposure in high school, so the jump to the NBA will be both a major physical and mental challenge.

8.

Dyson Daniels

PG/SG | 196 cm | 19 y.o. | New Orleans Pelicans

Doesn’t need plays run for him to make an impact. He’s an aware cutter and offensive rebounder. He’s good at reading mismatches and makes smart improvisational plays. He can score and facilitate from inside with the size to back down or shoot a turnaround jumper over smaller players.

Much like fellow Australian Josh Giddey, Daniels’s passing is his real appeal. He’s such an advanced pick-and-roll artist that he’s already able to draw in defenders with the threat of his floater and pull-up, only to throw a jump pass to his rolling big man. 

Subpar shooter who made only 29.9 percent of his 3s and 53.3 percent of his free throws. He has touch on floaters and layups but it hasn't translated to the perimeter. When he shoots, he looks like a chair unfolding.

9.

Jeremy Sochan

SF/PF | 206 cm | 19 y.o. | San Antonio Spurs

Elite defensive prospect who can defend across all positions. Active on the boards and consistently boxes out. Following a defensive board, he’s a talented open-floor passer who rewards running teammates.

He’s a playmaker with a fluid handle that features misdirection and sudden movements to generate space. At 6-foot-9 and 230 pounds, he’s too big for smaller players to contain. And even though he’s a limited shooter, defending him with a big means he’ll just drive right by them. He’s a potential mismatch nightmare with his combination of size and speed.

Lacks a reliable shot. He’s made just 31.7 percent of catch-and-shoot 3s and only 57.5 percent of his free throws. He has a slow, methodical release off the catch that doesn’t look nearly as fluid as his pull-up.

10.

Johnny Davis

PG/SG | 196 cm | 20 y.o. | Washington Wizards

Tough shot-maker who lives in the midrange. He has every move in the book and he uses them to get open despite not having a quick first step or even the tightest handle.

Daring playmaker. He may not have the handle or passing vision of a lead guard, but he’s absolutely capable of being one of the main figures within an offense thanks to his scoring potential and his passing ability.

If there’s one flaw to his defense, it’s the fact he’s lean and lacks great athleticism. He may not be able to switch and hang with bigger players.

11.

Ousmane Dieng

SF/PF | 211 cm | 19 y.o. | New York Knicks (traded to OKC)

His best skill is ball handling. Despite his size, he’s able to get where he wants with this dribble using low crossovers and hesitations. He has a quick first step, too. After stringing together a series of moves, he has the control to deliver passes off the dribble or glide into right-handed layups and floaters.

Similarly, he’s able to generate space for pull-up jumpers. The results have not been great so far, but he looks fluid getting into shots. It’s just a matter of getting them to fall. Extending his range will be key. Shows good passing vision.

It’s a brick city for him as a shooter right now. He shot just 35.6 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from the 3-point range in the NBL. Though he looks good shooting the ball, he has never been efficient.

12.

Jalen Williams

SF | 203 cm | 21 y.o. | Oklahoma City Thunder

Mature playmaker who stays under control at all times. Selfless passer who can seamlessly pass off the dribble using either hand. On the break, he makes tremendous outlets.

Talented off-the-dribble scorer who is comfortable dribbling into midrange jumpers, runners, or even 3s. At a minimum, he looks like a player who can run secondary actions and attack closeouts and mismatches.

Unless he has space to launch, he’s a below-the-rim finisher without much burst off the dribble, so his shot creation could be neutralized. 

13.

Jalen Duren

C | 208 cm | 18 y.o. | Charlotte Hornets
(traded to DET in a three-team deal)

New York Knicks
New York Knicks

Elite upside as a shot blocker. He’s unafraid to get physical and his 7-foot-5 wingspan and nimble feet make him a sentry defending the paint.

Occasionally struggles with simple things, such as boxing out or falling into foul trouble too regularly. He needs to cut down on his physical and mental lapses so that his skills and athleticism can fuse. 

14.

Ochai Agbaji

SF | 203 cm | 22 y.o. | Cleveland Cavaliers

Made major improvements as a shooter his senior year. He’s making 41.1 percent of his 3s and is at his best in transition, making 7 of 14 shots off the dribble.

Lacks a degree of shiftiness off the dribble, which hurts him when finishing around the basket. He’s sometimes contact-averse.

15.

Mark Williams

C | 206 cm | 20 y.o. | Charlotte Hornets (via Pelicans)

A massive 7-foot-7 wingspan combined with fluid hips and strong fundamentals made Williams one of the best rim protectors in college basketball.

Lacks a natural perimeter skill set. As a playmaker, he does only the basics and doesn’t facilitate from the elbows like so many other bigs. Early on, he might be limited to the pick-and-roll.

16.

AJ Griffin

SF | 198 cm | 18 y.o. | Atlanta Hawks

Creative bucket-getter who uses subtle pump fakes, hesitations, and shimmies to throw defenders off balance. He dribbles at his own rhythm to get into pull-up jumpers and stepbacks going to his left.

He shows effort on defense but he’s not always reliable due to his inexperience. He takes awkward angles on rotations and sometimes loses track of his man when off the ball.

17.

Tari Eason

PF | 196 cm | 21 y.o. | Houston Rockets

Gritty defender equipped to thrive in the NBA with the body of a forward and the quickness of a guard. He’s also one of the more active off-ball defenders in this class.

Gets out of control with the ball in his hands. He attempts foolish passes through closed windows and often travels off the catch.

18.

Dalen Terry

PG/SG | 201 cm | 19 y.o. | Chicago Bulls

Quirky ball-handler with a tight enough dribble to run some point. Projects as a good spot-up shooter. He made progress from his first to second year in college. This past season, he made 36.8 percent of spot-up 3s.

Needs to learn when and when not to take risks, whether it’s as a playmaker forcing the ball into the paint or helping off a shooter on defense.

19.

Jake LaRavia

SG/SF | 198 cm | 20 y.o. | Minnesota Timberwolves
(traded to MEM)

Plays his role at a high level. He's a savvy cutter off-ball who uses ball fakes to finish inside. On the break, he runs the floor hard to the corners.

Selfless passer who makes the ball flow any time he’s on the floor. With his blend of size, cutting, and playmaking ability, he could be a major threat on the pick-and-pop or short roll.

Lacks a reliable jump shot off the dribble. He’s not a primary shot creator at this stage. His limitations as a ball-handler can put him into precarious situations in the middle of the floor, forcing him into difficult passes.

20.

Malaki Branham

SG | 196 cm | 19 y.o. | San Antonio Spurs

Talented ball-handler who gets low to the ground as he attacks the basket. He can break down defenders one-on-one to get into his pull-ups and he does a good job of slithering into the paint and finding room for layups. 

Playmaking is the next step. He’ll always be a score-first guy, but creating shots for teammates would elevate his ceiling.

21.

Christian Braun

SG | 196 cm | 21 y.o. | Denver Nuggets

Strong off-ball defender who makes proper rotations while also freelancing and baiting opponents into making bad passes. Braun can be a nuisance, and he’s energetic on the ball with the quickness and toughness to battle one-on-one. He’s also an active rebounder, snatching over six per game.

Struggled to score efficiently against superior competition, which could be a sign of things to come in the NBA unless he quickens his shooting release. 

22.

Walker Kessler

C | 216 cm | 20 y.o. | Memphis Grizzlies
(traded to MIN)

At 245 pounds with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, he blocks 4.5 shots per game, swatting everything in sight around the rim while avoiding fouls.

Has shot just 21.6 percent from 3 and 57.6 percent from the line in college. He was a better shooter in high school, though never a knockdown threat.

23.

David Roddy

SF | 194 cm | 21 y.o. | Philadelphia 76ers

Nimble athlete with a quick first step who uses spins, rip throughs, and up-and-unders from the post with either hand. With a wide frame, he can rumble into and finish through contact. 

Unproven shooter. One season of success doesn’t erase his subpar percentage on his jumper (23.6 percent from 3) in the past.

24.

MarJon Beauchamp

SG | 196 cm | 21 y.o. | Milwaukee Bucks

Excels playing off the ball. He knows how to utilize screens and handoffs as a slingshot to attack downhill. He’s a smart, intelligent player who hustles and is always looking for chances to cut to the rim.

He needs to improve as a 3-point shooter to become a rotation regular in the NBA.

25.

Blake Wesley

SG | 196 cm | 19 y.o. | San Antonio Spurs

Knives through the defense using crossovers and hesitations for leaning layups. Has the potential to be a lead playmaker in the future. He’s a score-first player, but not a gunner.

Inconsistent shooter with poor mechanics, and he has below-average shooting percentages.

26.

Wendell Moore Jr.

SF | 196 cm | 20 y.o. | Dallas Mavericks
(traded to MIN)

Smooth ball handler who’s at his best when straight-line driving against a rotating defense. Crafty finisher with both hands and has a sturdy frame that can handle contact.

A chunk of his turnovers, an issue for him in the past, occur on charges because he lacks the shake to get around a defender.

27.

Nikola Jovic

PF | 207 cm | 19 y.o. | Miami Heat

At his best with the ball in his hands in the open court or in the pick-and-roll. He’s capable of getting into his shot from any area of the floor. He doesn’t force it, though. Jovic has good shot selection and has the vision as a passer to make his teammates better.

Shot creation in the open floor is his best skill. He is able to change his pace and use hesitations while taking long strides toward the basket. He has a good handle and smooth footwork, which allows him to keep his dribble alive while deciding whether to score or facilitate.

He’s an inefficient offensive player right now, including from three-point range. He struggles finishing near the rim. He lacks bounce in the paint, and though he has size he doesn’t always know how to use it. He’s not particularly physical, and he has no post game to speak of.

28.

Patrick Baldwin Jr.

PF | 206 cm | 19 y.o. | Golden State Warriors

Smooth shooting stroke with an unblockable release point. In the midrange, he has the body control to turn in midair to line up with the rim.

Complete ball-stopper who takes far too many shots outside of the system, including heavily contested jumpers early in the shot clock.

29.

TyTy Washington Jr.

PG/SG | 191 cm | 20 y.o. | Memphis Grizzlies
(traded to MIN)

Looks like a point guard who studies moves from great point guards who weren’t reliant on athleticism, such as Chris Paul, with his stutters and head fakes as he runs the pick-and-roll. 

Lacks the explosiveness to score at the rim or draw fouls, which will put a cap on his scoring upside unless he becomes an incredible 3-point shooter. 

30.

Peyton Watson

SF | 200 cm | 19 y.o. | Oklahoma City Thunder

Switchable defender with excellent length and the quickness to pressure guards and wings on the ball. He's tall but plays like someone who’s used to defending guards.

Struggles to handle contact at the rim. He has all the moves as a ball handler, but can’t handle contact or finish through it. He made only 34.8 percent of his shots at the rim, per Synergy.

Second round:

31. Andrew Nembhard (G, 190 cm, 22 y.o.) Pacers (via Rockets)
32.  Caleb Houstan (F, 203 cm, 19 y.o.) Magic
33.  Christian Koloko (C, 210 cm, 22 y.o.) Raptors (via Pistons)
34. Jaylin Williams (F/C, 205 cm, 19 y.oo.) Thunder
35.  Max Christie (G, 197 cm, 19 y.o.) Lakers
36.  Gabriele Procida (G/F, 201 cm, 20 y.o.) Trail Blazers (traded to DET)
37.  Jaden Hardy (F, 193 cm, 19 y.o.) Kings (traded to DAL)
38.  Kennedy Chandler (G, 181 cm, 19 y.o.) Spurs (via Lakers) (traded to MEM)
39.  Khalifa Diop (C, 215 cm, 20 y.o.) Cavaliers (via Spurs)
40.  Bryce McGowens (F, 196 cm, 19 y.o.) Timberwolves (via Wizards) (traded to CHA)
41.  EJ Liddell (F, 197 cm, 21 y.o.) Pelicans
42.  Trevor Keels (F, 191 cm, 18 y.o.) Knicks
43.  Moussa Diabate (C, 209 cm, 20 y.o.) Clippers
44.  Ryan Rollins (G, 193 cm, 19 y.o.) Hawks (traded to GSW)
45.  Josh Minott (F, 205 cm, 19 y.o.) Hornets
46.  Ismael Kamagate (C, 211 cm, 21 y.o.) Pistons (traded to DEN)
47.  Vince Williams Jr. (F, 198 cm, 21 y.o.) Grizzlies (via Cavaliers)
48.  Kendall Brown (F, 199 cm, 19 y.o.) Timberwolves (traded to IND)
49.  Isaiah Mobley (F/C, 208 cm, 22 y.o.) Cavaliers
50.  Matteo Spagnolo (G, 194 cm, 19 y.o.) Timberwolves (from Nuggets)
51.  Tyrese Martin (F, 198 cm, 23 y.o.) Warriors (traded to ATL)
52.  Karlo Matkovic (F/C, 208 cm, 21 y.o.) Pelicans (via Jazz)
53.  JD Davison (G, 184 cm, 19 y.o.) Celtics
54.  Yannick Nzosa (F/C, 208 cm, 18 y.o.) Wizards (via Mavericks)
55.  Gui Santos (F, 202 cm, 20 y.o.) Warriors (traded to MIL)
56.  Luke Travers (F, 200 cm, 20 y.o.) Cavaliers (via Heat)
57.  Jabari Walker (F, 205 cm, 19 y.o.) Trail Blazers (via Grizzlies)
58.  Hugo Besson (F, 198 cm, 21 y.o.) Pacers (via Suns)

Note: The Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat have each forfeited a second-round draft pick.



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