Josh Cohen

ORLANDO – “Be physical.” “Communicate.” “Pressure the ball.” 

Those are a few of the phrases that continuously echo through the AdventHealth practice court at Amway Center as the Orlando Magic conduct their summer league practices. 

For rookie Paolo Banchero, selected first overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, it’s his first exposure to a number of the key principles that form the Magic’s identity. Team tenets, defensive priorities, coverages, offensive positioning, and terminology have all been part of Orlando’s summer league crash course over the last 24 hours and two drill sessions.&nbsp;

“We get them to understand the foundation that we’re building first, so that they understand the concepts, they understand the terminology, the things that we’re trying to accomplish from the ground floor,” said Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley. “As we progress forward, we’ll play two-minute games and three-minute games.”&nbsp;

Even in drill sessions, it’s clear that Banchero has a number of tools that the team covets. The 6-foot-10 forward possesses a unique&nbsp;blend of craftiness, fluidity, power, and vision that make him an absolute force on the offensive end of the floor.&nbsp;On the defensive side, his size and skill allow him to be another versatile piece at Mosley’s disposal.&nbsp;

Through two days of practice sessions – mostly centered around offensive and defensive installations – Banchero has flashed those elements along with a high desire to learn.&nbsp;

“The one that I’m observing more is his willingness and understanding of the game,” said Mosley. “He’s obviously a fantastic teammate, pushing guys, (and) trying to learn the ins and outs of NBA system, calls. A lot is coming at him, and he’s done a great job of embracing it. He’s not afraid to ask questions. Just continuing to learn and being willing to learn.”&nbsp;

Magic coaches and experienced players like R.J. Hampton and Devin Cannady have continuously been in his ear as the Duke alum attempts to soak up every bit of knowledge before the squad heads out to Las Vegas. As he did last year, their head coach has worked with him one-on-one – along with other players – continuing in his hands-on approach that made such an impact on Orlando’s young core last season.&nbsp;

“Coach Mose is able to get on the floor a lot more and demonstrate things than Coach K was,” Banchero joked when asked to compare Mosley and former legendary Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski. “They’re both great teachers.”&nbsp;

Through a few sessions of working with Banchero in the post, Mosley has felt firsthand the physical tools that Banchero has in his arsenal. And he’s trying to get him to use his power and strength even more as the rookie gets set to take the NBA stage for the first time in summer league action on July 7 in Las Vegas. 

“He’s a very strong individual,” the Magic’s head coach marveled. “I don’t even think he understands how strong he really is. That’s the great part about his willingness to learn and ask questions. He’s going to find out how he can use his body in different ways to obviously punish defenses, but then defensively, how he can guard multiple positions.”&nbsp;

It’s been a whirlwind for the fourth first overall pick in franchise history. From hearing his name called on draft night to walking into the gym for the first time, he’s been taken aback by the experience.&nbsp;

“Walking from (the hallway) into the gym, I told myself that I felt like I was on 2K a little bit, walking into the gym on my-player mode,” said Banchero.&nbsp;

While it’s clear that he’s still trying to digest all the play calls, positioning, and terminology that will be asked of him, he’s clearly already got a sense of what’s important to his head coach and new organization.&nbsp;

“I think I’ll fit in great,” said Banchero of his new team. “We’re going to be a real good defensive team, we’re going to play hard, we’re going to do a lot of the little things right. I think I’m going to fit in well. I’m going to be able to play all over the floor, defend all over the floor, and just mesh with these guys.”&nbsp;

Sounds like he's picking up on the Magic's foundational principles just fine.

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First Overall Pick Paolo Banchero Gets First Exposure to Orlando Magic’s Foundational Principles 

Paolo Banchero spoke to the media after the Orlando Magic's summer league practice session on Sunday.

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Summer League Practice: Paolo Banchero (7/3)

Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley spoke to the media after the Orlando Magic's summer league practice session on Sunday.

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Summer League Practice: Jamahl Mosley (7/3)

R.J. Hampton spoke to the media after the Orlando Magic's summer league practice session on Sunday.

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Summer League Practice: R.J. Hampton (7/3)

Devin Cannady spoke to the media after the Orlando Magic's summer league practice session on Sunday.

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Summer League Practice: Devin Cannady (7/3)

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Banchero brings a bundle of skills to the Orlando Magic. With his unique blend of power and finesse, the 6-foot-10, 250-pounder dominated in the college basketball ranks this past season while at Duke. He scored more points than anyone else in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while compiling the second most rebounds and 10th&nbsp;most assists. Just 19 years old, Banchero recorded 15 20-plus-point scoring performances and 12 double-doubles in 39 games.&nbsp;

Cannady appeared in five games after signing with the Magic’s parent club in late March and scored in double figures in each of the last three, including on April 10 in the finale against the Heat when he posted 15 points, two shy of his career high. The 6-foot-2 guard, best known for his outside shooting, has bounced back and forth between Lakeland and Orlando the last two seasons. He was named the G League Finals MVP in the Disney bubble in 2021 after helping Lakeland capture the franchise’s first championship. A few weeks later while on a two-way contract with the Magic, he suffered a serious right ankle injury. Following a nearly year-long recovery, he resumed play in Lakeland, where he appeared in 16 games and shot nearly 47 percent from 3-point range.&nbsp;

One of the more experienced players in this year’s summer league, Cheatham has already played on five professional teams overseas, including most recently with Fuenlabrada of the Spanish Liga ACB. He played his college ball at Akron, where in 101 games across four seasons he averaged 7.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists. His best college performance came on Jan. 28, 2017 against Buffalo when he erupted for 31 points and made seven 3-pointers. The 26-year-old is best known for his ability to space the floor at 6-foot-10, 235 pounds while doing all the dirty work on defense and on the glass.&nbsp;

Daniels has been out of action for over a year after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee during his senior season at N.C. State. The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder was playing spectacular basketball prior to the injury, which occurred on Jan. 27, 2021 in a win over Wake Forest. He scored in double figures in 11 of the 12 games he appeared in that season, including exploding for 29 points and 10 rebounds in the season opener against Charleston Southern. Soon-to-be 24 years old, Daniels transferred to the Wolfpack after a year with the Utah Utes. In 109 college games across four seasons, he averaged 11.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists. His defense is what he's most known for. He averaged 1.7 steals in each of his last two seasons at N.C. State.&nbsp;

Ford got the opportunity to showcase his skills on a bigger stage back in December after several Magic players were placed in health and safety protocols. He scored 14 combined points in the five games he appeared in with Orlando. In 31 games with the Magic’s G League squad in Lakeland, he averaged 12.5 points and shot 38.7 percent from 3-point range. Before turning pro, the 6-foot-8, 220-pounder played four seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers. One of his best college performances came during the 2021 Big Ten Tournament when he led the Badgers with 17 points in a second-round victory over Penn State.

Gach, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound swingman, had quite an interesting college basketball journey. He played his first two seasons at Utah, then transferred to Minnesota for his junior campaign, and then returned to Utah to finish out his college career. Gach’s length and athleticism stands out most. He has a quick first step and is both crafty and coordinated when he attacks the basket. One of his best college performances came just a few days before the NCAA had to cancel the remainder of the season due to the pandemic. Not only did he erupt for a career-high 28 points that March 7, 2020 night against Colorado, but he came up clutch as well. First, he buried a game-tying jumper with 2.5 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, and then in the extra session he drilled three free throws with 0.6 ticks remaining after getting fouled on a 3-point attempt to lift Utah to the victory.&nbsp;

Grayer, the son of former NBA player Jeff Grayer, spent last season with the Magic’s G League squad in Lakeland, where he appeared in 24 games and averaged 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists. His season high in scoring came on Jan. 16, 2022 against Raptors 905 with 19 points. The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder played four seasons at George Mason before transferring to TCU to conclude his college career. A streaky shooter, pesky defender and excellent rebounder for a guard, Grayer averaged 10.2 points and 5.1 boards at the college level.&nbsp;

Hampton, acquired along with Gary Harris and a future first round draft pick by the Magic in a 2021 trade that sent Aaron Gordon to the Denver Nuggets, scored in double figures 18 times this past season, including in the season finale against the Miami Heat when he had 21 points. On Nov. 7, in a win over the Utah Jazz, he made a clutch 3-pointer with 21.5 seconds left. By starting in 13 of Orlando’s last 18 games, the 21-year-old got a chance to sharpen his skills playing against stronger competition.&nbsp;

The Magic’s 32nd&nbsp;overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Houstan played one year at Michigan after starring at Florida’s Montverde Academy. While inconsistent with the Wolverines, the 6-foot-8, 205-pounder had several outstanding college performances, including scoring 21 points in back-to-back games against Rutgers and Illinois. Known most for his range shooting and defensive versatility, Houstan gives the Magic more size on the perimeter. Many feel he has one of the higher ceilings among second-round draft picks, especially considering how highly touted he was coming out of high school.&nbsp;

James, a 6-foot-7, 190-pound swingman, is one of the few players on the Magic’s summer league team with NBA experience. He played two seasons with the Sacramento Kings after they drafted him 40th&nbsp;overall in 2019. Toward the end of the 2020-21 season, he exploded for 31 points against the Memphis Grizzlies. He played his college ball at Wyoming, where he averaged 15.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists across four seasons. One of the things he does extremely well is initiate contact on drives. In his senior campaign with the Cowboys, he averaged 8.4 free throw attempts, which ranked No. 1 in the Mountain West Conference that year.

A 6-foot-2, 185-pound guard out of Saint Mary’s, Kuhse was one of college basketball’s most improved players this past season. He went from shooting from 40.7 percent from the field and 27.5 percent from 3-point range his redshirt senior season to shooting 49.4 percent overall and 45.0 percent from beyond the arc this past year as a graduate student. He had a terrific performance in the Gaels’ NCAA Tournament first-round victory over Indiana with 19 points and six assists. Another one of his more memorable games in college came the prior season in the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic against Northern Iowa when he connected on a game-winning floater with 1.8 seconds remaining.&nbsp;

Arguably the best 3-point shooter on the Magic’s summer league squad this year, Malinowski ended last season with Orlando’s G League team in Lakeland, appearing in five games and averaging 7.0 points and 2.6 assists while shooting 42.1 percent from downtown. He played his first three college years at William &amp; Mary before transferring to Georgetown for his final season. One of his best college performances came in his last game as a sophomore at William &amp; Mary when he recorded 22 points and hit five 3-pointers against Hofstra in the Colonial Athletic Association’s conference tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A 6-foot-8, 240-pound center, Oturu has 33 NBA games under his belt. He was drafted 33rd&nbsp;overall in 2020 by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but was traded immediately to the L.A. Clippers, with whom he played sparingly throughout his rookie campaign. The 22-year-old, who went to high school and college in Minnesota, spent most of last season in the G League with the Windy City Bulls, although the Toronto Raptors brought him on in late December on a 10-day contract with so many players in health and safety protocols. With excellent hands, solid footwork, and some nifty post moves, Oturu is arguably the most skilled big man on this year’s Magic’s summer league team.

Schofield got called up to Orlando from Lakeland in December when the Magic were shorthanded because of the COVID surge. He acclimated quickly and earned a two-way contract just a couple weeks later. In 38 games with the Magic’s parent club, the 6-foot-5, 241-pounder averaged 3.8 points and 2.3 rebounds. This wasn’t the first time he played in the NBA, however. Chosen 42nd&nbsp;overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, Schofield appeared in 33 games with the Washington Wizards during his rookie campaign. In addition to Lakeland, he’s played on two other G League teams, including the Greensboro Swarm, who selected him first overall in the 2021 G League Draft.&nbsp;

Simpson, a 6-foot-0 guard, captured the attention of many G League observers this past season because of his unique, but highly effective, running hook shot. In 35 games with the Oklahoma City Blue, he averaged 14.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.8 assists. OKC rewarded him for his stellar play by calling him up to their parent club late in the season. He appeared in four games with the Thunder, scoring in double figures in three of them. He played collegiately at Michigan, where as a sophomore, playing alongside current Magic big man Moe Wagner, he helped the Wolverines advance to the national final. He also played a season in Ann Arbor with Moe’s younger brother and fellow Magic star Franz Wagner.

Terry, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound forward, has quite a basketball resume. He’s bounced around the last few years after playing at Lincoln Memorial University, a Division II school in Harrogate, Tennessee. Known for his defense and high energy, Terry has appeared in six NBA games so far in his career. Last season, when so many teams were shorthanded because of the COVID surge, he signed with the Suns, his second stint in Phoenix. He’s played overseas as well, including in Israel, Turkey, Serbia, and most recently France.&nbsp;

Tilmon, a 6-foot-10, 260-pound center, is already quite familiar with the Magic organization. He was with Orlando in last year’s summer league, spent training camp with the team at Amway Center and then joined the Magic’s G League team in Lakeland, where he appeared in 31 games and averaged 10.1 points and 5.2 rebounds. Although he didn’t end up getting drafted in 2021, his play at Missouri during his senior season caught the attention of scouts. He averaged 12.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks that year while helping the Tigers advance to the NCAA Tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A strong, aggressive shooting guard, Wilson-Frame spent last season in the G League with the Salt Lake City Stars. In 32 games, he averaged 17.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists. He already has ties to Florida. Before transferring to Pittsburgh to finish out his college career, he played at the panhandle’s Northwest Florida State College. It was with the Panthers, though, where he made a name for himself. As a junior, he led Pittsburgh in scoring with 13.0 points per game.

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Orlando Magic 2022 Summer League Player Breakdowns 

Go behind-the-scenes as Paolo Banchero signs his contract with the Orlando Magic.

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Behind-the-Scenes: Banchero Signs Contract

The Orlando Magic have signed forward&nbsp;Paolo Banchero (pow-loh ban-CARE-oh), President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed. Banchero was selected by Orlando in the first round (first overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft.

Banchero (6’10”, 250, 11/12/02) played and started in all 39 games last season as a freshman at Duke University, averaging 17.2 ppg., 7.8 rpg., 3.2 apg. and 1.05 stlpg. in 33.0 minpg., while shooting .478 (245-513) from the floor. He led all true freshmen in the nation in scoring. Banchero led the Blue Devils in scoring and rebounding, while ranking second in minutes played. He also ranked fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in rebounding and sixth in the conference in scoring.

Banchero was named Second Team All-America by the NABC and USBWA, while being a Third Team All-America selection by&nbsp;The Associated Press&nbsp;and&nbsp;The Sporting News. Among his many accolades, he was one of 15 finalists for the John R. Wooden Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding player, and one of five finalists for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award. Banchero was named to the All-ACC First Team, the ACC All-Freshmen Team and was the ACC Freshman of the Year. He was also named to the ACC All-Tournament Team, the NCAA All-Tournament Team and the NCAA West Region’s Most Outstanding Player, leading Duke to the 2022 NCAA Final Four.

While at O’Dea High School in Seattle, WA, Banchero led the team to the Class 3A state championship as a sophomore (2018-19) and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. As a junior (2019-20), he was named Washington’s Gatorade Player of the Year, a MaxPreps Junior All-American and the MaxPreps National Junior Player of the Year. Despite his senior season being postponed due to the pandemic, Banchero was named a 2021 McDonald’s All-American, a Naismith First Team All-American and a&nbsp;Sports Illustrated&nbsp;All-American.

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Orlando Magic Sign Paolo Banchero

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