Paolo Banchero was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week after leading the Orlando Magic to a 3-1 record in Week 23.
The one-time NBA All-Star averaged 30.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 35.8 minutes per contest. This is the second time he won the prestigious weekly award in his young NBA career.
Banchero is the second Orlando Magic forward to win Eastern Conference Player of the Week this season, joining Franz Wagner, who was nominated last November.
The Orlando Magic are coming off a 116-105 win over the San Antonio Spurs last Tuesday, as Banchero and Wagner combined for 48 points.
Orlando Magic News: Paolo Banchero gets MVP endorsement from head coach Jamahl Mosley
Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley praised Paolo Banchero for his recent performances because they need it to clinch their spot in the playoffs. They are the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with a 37-40 record.
“There is not much that needs to be said that he is not doing right now,” Mosley said about Banchero via Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “He is showing out. Showing what he needs to be doing. Showing what class he belongs in. He is special not just on the dang court, but off the court as well. That is who he is. That is what he represents.”
“He is going to be doing it for a long dang time in this league. A problem. I don’t know if I can say it early on, but he is going to be an MVP candidate sooner (rather than) later, I promise you that,” he added.
