Jose Fremaint

Holmgren is a rare find. Not only is he an elite rim protector, but he moves his feet decently for a 7-footer. That enables him to switch out onto the perimeter and guard in space. Even if he doesn’t do it quite as well as, for example, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, or Evan Mobley, it should be enough of a strength of his to avoid being a liability when defending on an island. What he displays on the other end of the floor will arguably be even more important as his game develops, however. We know he has range (shot 39 percent from 3-point land at Gonzaga), and we know he has a soft touch near the basket (shot 87 percent near the rim). What we don’t know is if he has enough shot-creation abilities to score without assistance. He’s not the fastest, nor is he the craftiest. His superior length to go along with his sweet shooting stroke might be enough, though, for him to manufacture enough points to be considered a major offensive weapon. He’s a sneaky good passer, too, and some believe he could evolve into a point center down the road. READ MORE &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Scoring is obviously the most prominent part of basketball, and Banchero, at 6-foot-10, 250 pounds, does that perhaps better than anyone else in this draft. Not only can he make shots from any spot on the floor, but his blend of finesse, power, fluidity, and coordination makes him a potential No. 1 scoring option on an NBA team. On top of that, he can really pass. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he became a team’s primary or secondary playmaker. There are a few concerns, however. One, can he defend? While he wasn’t a negative on that end at Duke, it’s clear that he doesn’t move his feet all that well, nor does he protect the rim at a high level. Also, while slick and crafty, he doesn’t have nuclear speed. Could that make it a little more difficult for him to shake defenders when he goes to work in isolation? And finally, he only shot 33.8 percent from 3-point range this past season. Does he have a good enough touch from distance to make threes more efficiently at the next level? READ MORE&nbsp;

Every team could use more 3-point shooting, especially from their frontline players. That is the main reason why the 6-foot-10 Smith drew so much national attention throughout the college season. He shot 42 percent as a freshman at Auburn from 3-point distance on 188 attempts. In one game (against Vanderbilt on Feb. 16), he drilled seven triples, which were the second most ever at Neville Arena. But his skills stretch beyond his range shooting. He can take a couple dribbles going either direction, stop on a dime, and knock down mid-range jays. On the other end of the floor, he’s as tough as nails and uses his lateral quickness and length to his advantage. Missing from his game, however, is shot creation. His movements are a bit choppy; his ball-handling is raw; he rarely attacks the basket (only 12 percent of his shot attempts came at the rim); and he sometimes takes contested shots with two, or even three defenders draped over him. READ MORE  

Over the last 15-plus years, players like Ivey – who are fast, slithery, electric, and explosive – have fared well in the league. Dwyane Wade, for instance, was nearly impossible to stop early in his career because of how relentless he was attacking the basket. Derrick Rose was not only a blur in the open floor, but he was also so crafty that shot blockers struggled to contest his layups. Russell Westbrook, of course, has always been the most athletic player on the court. Now, Ja Morant has reached superstar status with his blend of speed, finesse, explosiveness, and edge. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Ivey shares those same characteristics. Getting downhill certainly won’t be a problem in the pros. There’s less space in college to operate, and yet he still managed to accelerate all the way to the hoop on the regular. While he did improve his outside shooting his sophomore year, the jury is still out on whether he will be reliable enough from distance for defenders not to sag off him. Also, unlike Morant or Westbrook, Ivey has yet to prove he can be a lead guard and choreograph a high-powered offense. READ MORE&nbsp;&nbsp;

Everyone loves a mystery. It’s the unknown that ropes us in. Well, in this year’s draft, the mystery man is Sharpe, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound swingman with through-the-roof potential. The reason he’s such a mystery is because he didn’t appear in any games for Kentucky despite being the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the class of 2021. Even the high school tape on him is limited because he went to three different schools and wasn’t on anyone’s radar until right before his senior year at Dream City Christian in Arizona. What we know about him, though, is that he’s a jump-out-of-the-gym athlete. A dunk contest is almost certainly in his future if he chooses to participate. But also, he’s a very smooth, fluid shot creator with a Jalen Green-esque step-back jumper. We just don’t know how sharp (play on words) he will be at the next level. The team that selects him must be patient. READ MORE&nbsp;

Few, if any, have Murray at the top of their draft board. But, based on his play this past season at Iowa, perhaps he should at least be in the conversation. The 6-foot-8 Murray is a jack-of-all-trades type prospect. He really doesn’t have any major flaws. The problem is that he’s not a master at any one thing. He can shoot; he can score down low; he can push the tempo, he’s relentless on the glass; he can defend multiple positions; and he doesn’t turn the ball over a ton. But he doesn’t necessarily do any of those things at an elite level. Plus, the fact that he scored most of his points in college in the low post is a bit of a concern considering he’s only 6’8. He took advantage of every mismatch. That won’t happen in the NBA, though, as guys at his position will be able to push him off the block. Still, averaging 23.5 points and 8.7 rebounds is nothing to sneeze at. It is important to note as well that he will be 22 years old by the time he starts his NBA career. READ MORE&nbsp;

Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by Josh Cohen are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors.

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Here’s What the Potential 2022 No. 1 Overall NBA Draft Picks Bring to the Table 

ORLANDO –&nbsp;The good news keeps rolling in for the Orlando Magic.&nbsp;

A night after they were awarded the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, one of their prized lottery selections from last year’s draft received recognition that he ranks among the top in his class.&nbsp;

Magic forward Franz Wagner, the eighth overall selection in 2021, was named to the Kia NBA’s All-Rookie First Team on Wednesday night, adding another accolade to an already impressive first-year resume. He received 84 out of a possible 100 First Team votes.

“Franz had a tremendous rookie season,” Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman said recently on FM 96.9 The Game’s Open Mike. “I feel that he learned what eighty-two games is about. He came within a whisker of playing all eighty-two, which would have been a hell of an accomplishment. But the fact that he did play as many as he did, I think is remarkable in today’s NBA for a rookie.”&nbsp;

Along with almost playing in every contest – his 79 games played were the most among any first-year player this season – Wagner scored the most points (1,197), grabbed the fifth most rebounds (356), dished out the sixth most assists (231), and tallied the fifth most steals (68) among all rookies. His 17 20-plus-point performances were the fourth most by a Magic rookie all-time – trailing only Shaquille O’Neal (60), Penny Hardaway (29), and Dennis Scott (24).&nbsp;

Wagner becomes the 10th player in franchise history to be named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and the first since 2014-15. He joins Scott (1990-91), O’Neal (1992-93), Hardaway (1993-94), Matt Harpring (1998-99), Mike Miller (2000-01), Drew Gooden (2002-03), Dwight Howard (2004-05), Victor Oladipo (2013-14) and Elfrid Payton (2014-15).

“I’m super grateful that I got a lot of opportunity, a lot more than I expected coming in,” said Wagner during his season wrap-up interview. “It made my development a little quicker, I think, (being able) to try some stuff, make some mistakes, and learn on the fly too, and be in some situations that I wasn’t necessarily in a lot in college. I like those challenges, and I’m very thankful to the coaching staff for giving me that opportunity.”&nbsp;

While his opportunity may have been unique, so was his efficiency for a first-year player. Among the top-10 scoring rookies, he had the third-highest field goal percentage (46.8), second-best 3-point percentage (35.4) and top free throw percentage (86.3). &nbsp;

“Franz is very smart,” Magic guard Cole Anthony explained. “A lot of these rookies on these other teams, they’re getting the third, fourth, or fifth-best defender guarding them. Franz, night in and night out, is probably getting the best, if not the second best, defender on each squad’s team. That’s a huge difference, man.” &nbsp;

His best stint of the 2021-22 campaign came during the holiday season. During the month of December, Wagner averaged an NBA rookie-best 19.5 points per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the floor, 40.4 percent from 3-point range, and 88.9 percent from the free throw line.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

That month was highlighted by a stellar 38-point explosion against the defending champions on Dec. 28. Afterwards, he drew praise from Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer, who called the performance “one of the better games that I've seen a rookie have in our league.” &nbsp;

That 38-point showing, the second most by any rookie in a single game this season and the third most all time by an Orlando first-year player, also drew praise from a two-time MVP. &nbsp;

“I think he’s really good,” Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “We played him at home twice (in November). He was okay. He was good. But he came out the previous game we played (Dec. 28), played really well, got to his spots, knocked down threes, got to the free throw line. He came out (on Dec. 30), he played great. Got his teammates involved. Got his shots. I think sky’s the limit for him. For real. I wish him nothing but the best.”&nbsp;

Wagner is just part of a young core that has the organization – and its fans for that matter – so excited for the future. Jalen Suggs – Orlando’s selection at No. 5 overall in the same class – also showed flashes of becoming a high-end two-way player. Among rookies who played in at least 10 games, he finished ninth in points (11.8), third in assists (4.4), and third in steals (1.2) per contest. Like Wagner and Anthony, he was also named to the NBA All-Star Weekend’s Rising Stars Game.&nbsp;

“I’m so excited for what we’re growing and building with the Magic,” said Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley. “We have the most amazing fans that have been so supportive and patient. They’re just willing and wanting us to continue to build our success the right way. And that’s what we’re doing. (With the No. 1 overall pick in this draft, we’re going to add) another competitive, young, talented, high-basketball IQ player to our group that’s already close knit together. It’s going to be very exciting.”&nbsp;

Joining Wagner on the All-NBA First Team were Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, Houston’s Jalen Green, and Cleveland’s Evan Mobley.&nbsp;

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Orlando Magic's Franz Wagner Named to NBA's All-Rookie First Team

CHICAGO –&nbsp;When the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft is in play, you break out all the superstitious stops.&nbsp;

Was it the gut-feeling that led to a last-second decision to switch from Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman to Head Coach Jamahl Mosley as the team’s representative on stage? Or could it have been the lucky ping-pong balls from prior lottery victories carried by Magic Chief Communications Officer Joel Glass into the sequestered room where the real selection process takes place? Perhaps it was the lucky wristwatch Cole DeVos wore that was owned by his late grandfather, Magic caretaker Rich DeVos? Maybe it was something done by a Magic fan that is reading this very story?&nbsp;

Whatever the case may be, it worked!&nbsp;

Faced with 14-percent odds of landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Magic came away with just that on Tuesday night as they were awarded the top pick in the draft and smiles, hugs, and exhilaration overtook members of the organization in attendance.&nbsp;

“I was working on all of my breathing as it happened. My heart was definitely pounding,” said Mosley. “Again, it’s just that excitement for this fanbase. Excitement for our guys on the roster. Excitement for the organization just moving into that situation.”&nbsp;

The franchise’s contingent in Chicago were not the only ones enthused by the outcome. Fans at the team’s official watch party, co-hosted by The Sixth Man Show and presented by Michelob Ultra, erupted in excitement the moment it became clear the Magic would have the top pick. Similar reactions from Magic fans all over the globe could be found all over social media.

“I’m so happy for our fans tonight,” said Weltman. “They’ve really stuck with us and nights like this help. Where you can really show the fruits of why we go through these phases and cycles. So, hopefully they’re really excited by this. I think they will be. We’re going to add another really good player to our talent base. I think it’s an exciting night.”&nbsp;

This marks the fourth time in franchise history that the Magic possess the No. 1 overall pick. Their back-to-back pulls of the premier ping-pong ball during the team’s infancy enabled them to select future Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal first overall in 1992 and then engineer a draft-night trade for Penny Hardaway and three future first round picks in 1993. Those moves instantly morphed the Magic into a 50-win club and helped propel them to their first Finals appearance in 1995.&nbsp;

In 2004, lady luck was once again on the side of Orlando as it landed the top pick and subsequently drafted Dwight Howard. The perennial All-Star center went on to win three straight NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards for the Magic and vaulted them to two straight Eastern Conference Finals appearances, including a 2009 trip to the NBA Finals.&nbsp;

“We’ve seen what it can mean in the past,” said Magic CEO Alex Martins, who was with the organization for both of those memorable runs. “The past three times that we’ve won, it’s ultimately led us to an NBA Finals in both of those eras. Hopefully, this is a piece that can get us back into contention. You have to take it one step at a time, so getting back into contention, getting back into the playoffs, and ultimately, getting back to competing for a championship is our goal.”&nbsp;

Unlike many players who go to organizations awarded the No. 1 overall pick, this Magic team is not devoid of talent. The group currently features a number of lottery selections at its core, including Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr., and Jonathan Isaac to go along with other promising young pieces such as Cole Anthony, R.J. Hampton, and Chuma Okeke.&nbsp;

“I’m so excited for what we’re growing and building with the Magic,” said Mosley. “We have the most amazing fans that have been so supportive and patient. They’re just willing and wanting us to continue to build our success the right way. And that’s what we’re doing. When you add another competitive, young, talented, high-basketball IQ player to our group that’s already close knit together, it’s going to be very exciting.”&nbsp;

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Orlando Magic Land No. 1 Overall Pick in 2022 NBA Draft

Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman spoke to the media after the team won the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery.

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Jeff Weltman on Magic Receiving 2022 No. 1 Overall Draft Pick

Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley spoke to the media after the team won the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery.

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Jamahl Mosley on Magic Receiving 2022 No. 1 Overall Draft Pick

Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman spoke to the media about the team being awarded the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

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Draft Lottery: Jeff Weltman

Magic CEO Alex Martins spoke to the media after the team won the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery.

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Alex Martins on Magic Receiving 2022 No. 1 Overall Draft Pick

Watch as fans at the official Orlando Magic NBA Draft Lottery Watch Party, in partnership with The Sixth Man Show and presented by Michelob ULTRA, react to the team getting the No. 1 in the 2022 NBA Draft.

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Magic Fans React to Team Getting No. 1 Pick in 2022 NBA Draft

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