Magic's Paolo Banchero Says LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony Were His Favorite Players

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero said LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony were his favorite players growing up, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

It's fitting for the No. 1 pick of the 2022 NBA draft, who will try to emulate the future Hall of Famers during his own career.

Banchero averaged 17.2 points per game during his freshman season at Duke, entering the NBA with high expectations as someone who can get points in a number of different ways.

"There's such a dynamic ability to not just play the 1 through 5, there's such a versatility in the way he can play offensively," head coach Jamahl Mosley said of Banchero.

Banchero wasn't even one year old when James and Anthony were drafted in 2003, but he has grown up watching their impact with a combined 28 All-Star selections. If the 6'10" forward can come anywhere close to this level of production, the Magic will be in good shape.