NBA Draft 2022: Magic take Paolo Banchero No. 1 in stunning decision

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The Orlando Magic stunned the NBA world on Thursday when they chose Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft as many speculated it would either be Jabari Smith Jr. or Chet Holmgren being the top pick in the days leading up to the event.

Banchero played one season at Duke before turning pro. He was the 2022 ACC Rookie of the Year and a First-team All-ACC selection. He averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in his only season with the Blue Devils.

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FILE - Duke forward Paolo Banchero (5) celebrates during the first half of the team's game against Arkansas in the NCAA men's basketball tournament in San Francisco, March 26, 2022. Banchero is one of the top forwards in the upcoming NBA draft. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

It’s the 13th straight year a college freshman has been taken No. 1 overall in the NBA. The last Duke player to go No. 1 overall was Zion Williamson in 2019 and before that it was Kyrie Irving in 2011.

The Magic had the No. 1 overall pick three other times: in 2004, 1993 and 1992. The Magic selected Dwight Howard in 2004, Chris Webber in 1993 and Shaquille O’Neal in 1992. Orlando would trade Webber to the Golden State Warriors for Penny Hardaway and three future first-round draft picks.

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Orlando was 22-60 in the regular season and had a 14% chance of getting the No. 1 pick. Orlando had the No. 5 pick last year and selected Jalen Suggs.

The selection stunned NBA fans right off the bat.

Oklahoma City made Gonzaga’s Holmgren No. 1.

FILE - Gonzaga center Chet