The Orlando Magic and Coach Jamahl Mosley have been impressed enough by Paolo Banchero’s Summer League play that they decided to shut him down for the rest of the Summer League after two games.
Very solid opening night for Paolo.
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) July 8, 2022
17 pts, 6 reb, 4 last. (via @OrlandoMagic) pic.twitter.com/QQlxw6iHLH
P5’s dazzling displays began last week with 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists during his pro debut against the Houston Rockets. During his second game, he posted 23 points, six rebounds, and six assists, including a pair of SportsCenter Top 10-worthy poster dunks over the Kings.
The former Duke Blue Devil finished his Summer League season averaging 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 dimes, 2.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game on 40.7 percent shooting from the field.
“His understanding of what he needs to do in certain situations, the concepts that we’re preaching offensively and defensively, he’s grasping on to those,” Mosley said per NBA.com, pointing out that Banchero got all he needed out of Summer League. “Watching film together, he’s observing those things. He explains to me the things that he sees on the floor. It’s only two games, but you’re watching those film sessions, and you realize how he’s registering all of it. So that’s how you can make the judgment that it’s time (to) let these other guys get those moments.”
rook was hooping @Pp_doesit 🪄
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) July 9, 2022
23 PTS | 6 REB | 6 AST pic.twitter.com/nlklro39t5
Mosley and the Magic decided to shut down Banchero so that they could focus on evaluating his teammates on the roster. Whoever impresses the most could earn a roster spot or a G League opportunity with Orlando’s affiliate, the Lakeland Magic.
“I want to give these other guys an opportunity to play, to kind of be able to show what they’re capable of doing,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “That’s the point of Summer League, you know, give them a chance … an opportunity for these other guys to see what they’re capable of doing. And we’ve seen what Paolo was capable of doing.”
The Magic will play on Thursday against the Knicks.
