Orlando Magic Sign Paolo Banchero To Contract Extension

The Orlando Magic have signed forward Paolo Banchero to a contract extension, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.
 
“We are thrilled to keep Paolo (Banchero) in a Magic uniform for years to come,” said Weltman. “At just 22, he has won NBA Rookie of the Year, been named an NBA All-Star and is widely regarded as one of our league’s brightest young stars. This commitment reflects our belief in Paolo’s talent, character and desire to win at the highest level. It also reflects Paolo’s belief in our organization, our fans and the city of Orlando. We are excited to continue this journey together.”
 
Banchero (6’10”, 250, 11/12/02) played and started in 46 games last season with Orlando, averaging 25.9 ppg., 7.5 rpg. and 4.8 apg. in 34.4 minpg. He became one of only three players 22-or-younger in NBA history to compile 4,000+ points, 1,300+ rebounds and 900+ assists during his first three pro seasons, joining LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Banchero led (or tied) the team in scoring 27 times, in rebounding 14 times and in assists 27 times. He scored in double figures 44 times, 20+ points 35 times, 30+ points 18 times and 40+ points four times, including a career-high 50 points on Oct. 28 vs. Indiana.
 
Banchero became the fourth player in franchise history to score 50+ points in a game, and at 21 years-351 days old, became the youngest player in franchise history to ever accomplish the feat. He became the second-youngest player in NBA history with 50+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists in a game (James, 20 years-80 days, 2005) and scored 37 of his points during the first half, tying the team record for most points in a half. Banchero scored 20+ points in 20 straight games from Feb. 25-Mar. 8, the sixth-longest streak in franchise history and had 30+ points in five straight games from Mar. 19-27, tied for the fourth-longest streak in franchise history. He was named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the period ending Mar. 30.
 
Banchero also played and started in five playoff games, averaging 29.4 ppg., 8.4 rpg. and 4.2 apg. in 39.4 minpg. He scored 25+ points in seven straight playoff games from Apr. 30, 2024-Apr. 27, 2025, tying Kobe Bryant and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most consecutive games with 25+ points in NBA playoff history for players before the age of 23. Banchero also joined Tracy McGrady as the only players in franchise history to record three-or-more 30+ point games in multiple playoff series.
 
Originally selected in the first round (first overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft by Orlando, Banchero has played and started in 198 career NBA regular season games, all with Orlando, averaging 22.4 ppg., 7.1 rpg. and 4.6 apg. in 34.4 minpg. He has scored 20+ points 129 times, 30+ points 35 times, 40 + points six times and 50+ points once. Banchero has also played and started in 12 career NBA playoff outings, averaging 28.0 ppg., 8.5 rpg. and 4.1 apg. in 38.3 minpg. He was named an NBA All-Star in 2023-24 and earned NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week twice. Banchero was named the 2022-23 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year and was the only player as a unanimous selection to the 2022-23 NBA All-Rookie First Team.
 
Prior to being drafted, Banchero played and started in all 39 games as a freshman at Duke University (2021-22), averaging 17.2 ppg., 7.8 rpg., 3.2 apg. and 1.05 stlpg. in 33.0 minpg. 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 The Associated Press and 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.
 
ABOUT THE ORLANDO MAGIC
Orlando's NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic's mission is to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. Under the DeVos family’s ownership, the Magic have seen great success in a relatively short history, winning eight division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2019, 2024, 2025) with seven 50-plus win seasons and capturing the Eastern Conference title in 1995 and 2009. Off the court, on an annual basis, the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise and grants. Orlando Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 100,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 7,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) which serves at-risk youth, has distributed more than $30 million to local nonprofit community organizations over the last 35 years. The Magic’s other entities include the team’s NBA G League affiliate, the Osceola Magic, 2021 G League champions, and the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, which serves as the affiliate to the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. The Magic play their home games at the award-winning Kia Center – voted by fans no. 1 in the NBA for game experience; honored with TheStadiumBusiness Awards’ Customer Experience Award; named SportsBusiness Journal's Sports Facility of the Year; and awarded the Venue Excellence Award (VEA) by the International Association of Venue Managers. The Magic practice at the award-winning AdventHealth Training Center. The Magic was also recognized by the Sports Business Journal as one of the “Best Places to Work” in sports in 2023 and 2024. For ticket information, visit OrlandoMagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.
 
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