Orlando Magic Paolo Banchero’s lofty ambitions includes NBA champion, MVP, and face of the league

Paolo Banchero shares his ambitious vision for the future, aiming to become the face of the league within five years.

Orlando Magic Paolo Banchero’s lofty ambitions includes NBA champion, MVP, and face of the league

Paolo Banchero

The 2023-24 season was remarkable for Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero as he grew into the spotlight as the franchise’s main player. The team hopes to take the next step in the upcoming season with a deep playoff run. During a panel discussion at Fanatics Fest, someone asked Banchero a tough question about where he saw himself in the next five years. 

His response, call it audacious, was one from a player exuding confidence. The Orlando Magic made a valuable addition this off-season with the addition of 2x NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Moreover, the partnership between Banchero and Franz Wagner remains expected to blossom further this season. As such, Banchero responded with much optimism.

NBA champ, hopefully, MVP, and one of the faces of the league, one of the faces of basketball, of the new generation. I guess I'm part of the new generation. So yeah, I would say, yeah, just all that.
Paolo Banchero said at Fanatics Fest
YouTube video

Furthermore, Paolo Banchero, who was his Draft’s class number one pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, had quickly made his mark and stamped his authority. The Magic forward isn’t short of confidence, as he recently threw a warning to teams in the league. 

FS Video

However, it is shocking that he hasn’t received the recognition he truly deserves. As a one-time NBA All-Star and Rookie of the Year, it’s shocking to witness how he’s flying under the radar while being phenomenal on the court. As such, the upcoming season could change things.

RELATED
WATCH: 21-year-old loses $25,000 bet against Paolo Banchero after missing free throws
Bennedict Mathurin

USA Basketball sets sights on Paolo Banchero for future Olympics 

The Olympics are over, and Team USA is already looking ahead to the next Olympics. Influential Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill has his sights set on Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero. Hill, according to The Athletic’s Joe Vardon, believes that Banchero, who will be 25 in 2028, has the potential to be a key player for Team USA.

Paolo Banchero, another member of USA's last World Cup team, was under serious consideration for the Paris Olympics and is a player Hill wants to feature in Olympiads to come.
Grant Hill via The Athletic

The Orlando Magic star has previous experience playing for USA Basketball, competing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game in the tournament. He was also part of the 41-man pool considered for the Paris Olympics roster but was ultimately not selected.

The 2024 Olympic roster potentially remains a change of the guard for Team USA. Following the retirement of LeBron James, Banchero is poised to be a leading figure in future Olympics. However, he has dual citizenship with Italy and his previous commitment to play for them makes this fairytale more interesting. 

In case you missed it: