Paolo Banchero’s rookie season included a trip to NBA All-Star weekend.
The Orlando Magic forward and No. 1 pick in last year’s draft will participate in this year’s Rising Stars Game in Salt Lake City on Feb. 17, two nights before the All-Star Game, it was announced Tuesday.
Banchero – who leads all starters with a 20.7 points per game average – could still be selected as an All-Star reserve.. Those players will be announced Thursday.
“When you get the chance to be a part of All-Star weekend, you can’t say no,” Banchero said. “Especially because I’m a rookie, first year, I’ve never experienced it before, it’s always been a dream to be a part of that, whether it’s Rising Stars or reserves. I’m definitely excited to get there and see what it’s like.
Banchero is on pace to become the first starter since Luka Doncic to average 20 points per game in 2018-19. He is also fourth in rebounds and third in steals per game entering Tuesday.
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said the All-Star experience — whether it’s just for the Rising Stars or not — will have an impact on Banchero.
“Just being around other young players who have found themselves in that position does a lot because they’re your peers,” Mosley said. “You’re around young guys in that division who are the league’s elite. I think it’s going to be amazing for the work he’s done, the work he’s done, how he continues to believe in himself, what we’re doing as a team and his continued growth.
Selected for the game from this year’s rookie class are: Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey, Atlanta’s AJ Griffin, Utah’s Walker Kessler, Indiana’s Benedict Maturin and Andrew Nemhard, Sacramento’s Keegan Murray, Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr., San Antonio’s Jeremy Sochan and Oklahoma’s Jaylen Williams.
New Orleans’ Jose Alvarado and Trey Murphy III, Toronto’s Scotty Barnes, Oklahoma City’s Josh Giddy, Houston’s Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, New York’s Quentin Grimes, Denver’s Bones Highlander, Cleveland’s Evan Mobley and Orlando’s Franz Wagner.
G League players including Sid Sissoko, Mojave King, Scott Henderson, Kenneth Lofton Jr., Mac McCheng, Leonard Miller and Scottie Pippen Jr. will also be at the Rising Stars event.
The 21 NBA players will be drafted into three seven-player teams. Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and Deron Williams will serve as coaches, while Jason Terry will coach the G League team.
All four teams finished their semi-finals with a score of 40 and the two winners with a score of 25 will advance to the championship game.
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