ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando Magic fans are feeling good after the team made the first pick in the NBA draft on Thursday night.
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Analysts thought that the Magic would pick Auburn’s Jabari Smith, but the team surprised everyone.
Duke’s Paolo Banchero is now coming to the City Beautiful.
READ: Orlando Magic select Duke’s Paolo Banchero with first overall pick in 2022 NBA Draft
“I can’t believe what just happened, honestly,” Banchero said after the selection. “I wanted to be in the NBA, but I didn’t know I would be here. I really, honestly, didn’t.”
welcome to the O @Pp_doesit 🪄@SociosUSA x #MagicDraft pic.twitter.com/wn8WkC8AtW
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) June 24, 2022
He will be officially introduced at the Amway Center on Friday.
You can watch his introduction on Eyewitness News.
Banchero will also be on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Friday morning to talk about the big night.
READ: Magic take Banchero 1st, Holmgren, Smith follow in NBA draft
In his lone season with Duke, Banchero averaged 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game and was a third-team Associated Press All-American.
LFG @Pp_doesit 🏁 pic.twitter.com/GmUsVbLJll
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) June 24, 2022
It was the fourth time that the Orlando Magic had the first overall pick in the draft.
READ: Orlando Magic win first pick in 2022 NBA draft
Most recently, in 2004, the Magic took Dwight Howard with the first overall pick.
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