NBA Draft 2022: Orlando Magic spring surprise with Paolo Banchero pick as Milton Keynes’ Sochan goes ninth

The Orlando Magic produced a surprise by selecting Paolo Banchero with the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft on Thursday night.

After finishing with the worst record in the Eastern Conference last season and subsequently winning the Draft Lottery for the fourth time, the Florida franchise opted for Duke’s ACC Rookie of the Year in New York instead of Auburn’s Jabari Smith Jr, who most expected to be the top selection.

It was the Magic’s first No1 pick since they selected Dwight Howard in 2004.

“I plan on bringing everything I have to Orlando,” Banchero said. “First off, just a winning mindset, a work-first mindset. Just ready to get in with the guys and get to work. This is one of the best moments of my life. I’m super excited.”

Smith Jr was instead taken by the Houston Rockets at No3, with Gonzaga 7-footer Chet Holmgren picked second overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

British interest came in the form of Jeremy Sochan, the American-born Polish international who grew up in Milton Keynes, played college basketball at Baylor and was taken ninth by the San Antonio Spurs.

Iowa forward Keegan Murray was the No4 pick by the Sacramento Kings, with Canadian duo Bennedict Mathurin and Shaedon Sharpe then selected by the Indiana Pacers and Portland Trailblazers respectively.

Another international entry in the top 10 was Australia’s Dyson Daniels, who went at No8 to the New Orleans Pelicans. One pick behind Sochan was Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis, who was taken by the Washington Wizards.

As ever there were plenty of eye-catching draft-night trades, the most notable of which saw Kemba Walker dealt from the New York Knicks to the Detroit Pistons in a three-team deal that also involved the Charlotte Hornets.

The Golden State Warriors are the current NBA champions, having clinched their fourth title in eight seasons with a Gam 6 victory over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden last week.

The Warriors took Milwaukee forward Patrick Baldwin Jr at No28 in last night’s draft, also trading with the Atlanta Hawks for the draft rights to No44 pick Ryan Rollins and taking Brazilian big man Gui Santos in round two.