In a recent episode of his podcast, Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George spoke about the budding stars of the NBA. When talking about the top players in the league who are 25 years old or younger, there is usually a consensus about who they are. Most would name Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, or Victor Wembanyama as the best such player. However, there is a legitimate debate about who the next players in line are. In the episode, George endorsed Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero as a player who will become “a star.”
Building around an NBA player under 25 and it CAN’T be Luka, Ant or Wemby…
Here’s who PG is rockin’ with 👀 pic.twitter.com/x9ELwhh8Zr
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) September 17, 2024
“Who 25 and under would you build your franchise around today? You can’t pick Luka, Anthony Edwards, & Wemby.”
Paul George: “I think who’s shown that they’re ready for that next jump & I think was a star. For sure Paolo [Banchero].”
While there are other solid options, it is tough to argue that Banchero is not headed towards stardom. Just two years ago, the Magic selected Banchero with the first overall pick in the draft. Fast forward to today, and he has already developed a lot as a player. The Duke alum is only 21 years old and will not turn 22 until November. It will be worth following his career to see how much better he gets in his NBA career.
Paul George Reveals His Pick for Next NBA Star
Paolo Banchero’s NBA Career So Far
In his rookie season, Banchero was extremely impressive. He took home the Rookie of the Year award and was two votes away from being a unanimous selection. On the year, he averaged 20 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Arguably his biggest flaw was his efficiency, however. Banchero shot 42.7% from the field on 15.6 attempts per game. Additionally, he shot just 29.8% from beyond the arc. Still, it became clear early on that Banchero could develop into something special. After last season’s performance, this sentiment has only become stronger among NBA and Magic fans.
Last season, Banchero earned his first career All-Star selection. Furthermore, he improved in every aspect of his game throughout the year, becoming even better after his rookie season. On the year, he averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. What may have been the most intriguing narrative, however, was his improved efficiency. Banchero shot 45.5% from the field on 17.6 attempts per game. This included a significantly improved 33.9% mark from the three-point line.
With Banchero leading the way, the Magic made their first playoff appearance for the first time since the 2019-20 season. They eventually lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round in a seven-game series, however.
Where Paolo Banchero Goes From Here
Banchero may be one of the most underrated budding stars in the league. His numbers are great, he has clearly elevated the Magic’s standings in the league, and he is still incredibly young. He already has an All-Star selection under his belt. Adding an MVP award or a championship to his resume is something that could become a reality down the line.
