Magic ink No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero to rookie contract

On Friday, the Orlando Magic announced that they signed No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero, becoming one of the first known draftees to ink his rookie scale contract.

He will earn $9,212,600 next season as the top pick.

Banchero was an All-American last season at Duke after averaging 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals. He is the fifth Blue Devils player to become the No. 1 pick in the NBA and the first since Zion Williamson in 2019.

The 19-year-old was among the three front-runners to be the first pick, along with Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren and Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. The team ultimately felt as though Banchero was the top college player in the country last season and drafted accordingly.

The 6-foot-10, 250-pound forward has the size and physicality that should translate well to the Magic. He is highly touted for his versatility and ability to affect games on both ends of the floor, something the Magic were enamored with.

Banchero will join a Magic roster with several up-and-coming players, including Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner. The group will be tasked next season with improving under second-year head coach Jamahl Mosley.

He will play in the Las Vegas Summer League starting on July 7.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

Related

Paolo Banchero shoots his shot, tries recruiting Kevin Durant

Paolo Banchero reacts to becoming the No. 1 overall pick by the Magic

Jamal Crawford impressed with franchise cornerstone Paolo Banchero

List

NBA free agency 2022: Complete signing tracker for every team

Story originally appeared on Rookie Wire