After being drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2022 NBA Draft, Paolo Banchero has lived up to the lofty expectations placed upon him coming into the 2022-23 season. In fact, Banchero has already done something that superstars like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James haven’t managed to achieve after three games: he has won all three games.
Banchero made NBA history as the youngest player to ever score at least 20 points in each of his first three games by doing so against the Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, and Boston Celtics. The 19-year-old’s career began with a bang as he scored 27 points on 11 of 18 shooting, nine boards, five assists, and two blocks in his team’s first game against Detroit.
Following that, he had a 20-point, 12-rebound game against the Atlanta Hawks. Along with his three blocks, he also contributed two assists. The Duke graduate dominated the Celtics on Saturday night with 23 points, five boards, three assists, and another block.
Paolo Banchero becomes first teenager to record 20+ points in first three NBA games
For a rookie at the age of 19, Banchero has a very well-developed skill set and an NBA-ready body of work. Three games into the season, he has already established himself as an elite player deserving of admiration.
With time running down in the first half, Boston big Jayson Tatum chose to switch defenses and play on Orlando guard Banchero since the youngster seemed to be settling in offensively.
