An Orlando Magic player who was crowned Rookie of the Year has been named to the 2024 NBA All-Star team in only his second season in the league.
Paolo Banchero was named to his first All-Star team on Thursday evening, during the TNT broadcast of Inside the NBA. The team released video of the moment Banchero found out, alongside his Orlando Magic teammates.
Reserves in this year’s game were selected by the league’s head coaches.
At only 21-years-old, Banchero has already blazed a path of success that is unmatched by any other player at his age.
He averages more minutes and points than any other player in the league at the same age, including Alperen Sengun, Jonathan Kuminga, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Green.
Among his age group, Banchero is also second in assists, third in rebounds, and second in steals.
Among the league, he is the second youngest player averaging over 20 points per game.
With the nomination, Banchero becomes only the ninth player in the Magic’s 35-year history to be named an All-Star, joining greats Shaquille O’Neal, Anfernee Hardaway, Tracy McGrady, Grant Hill, Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson, and Nikola Vučević, who last participated in 2021.
Earlier this season, Banchero was named “Eastern Conference Player of the Week,” which he called “really special.”
Last year, Banchero was named the Rookie of the Year and was unanimously selected to the 2022-2023 Kia NBA All-Rookie team.