ORLANDO, Fla. — The NBA has announced that Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has been named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the period ending Nov. 26, 2023.
It marks the first time that Banchero has won the league’s top weekly honor in his career.
Banchero becomes the 13th player in Orlando Magic history to be named NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week and the first since Nikola Vučević on Nov. 17, 2019.
During four games last week, Banchero averaged 23.5 ppg., 5.5 rpg., 5.0 apg. and 1.00 blkpg. in 34.5 minpg., while shooting 54% from the floor and 53% from three-point range. He led (or tied) the Magic in scoring, rebounding, and in assists once.
Orlando Magic v Philadelphia 76ers PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 30: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic dunks during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 30, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Orlando Magic v Washington Wizards WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic dribbles against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2023 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
NBA: Orlando Magic at Utah Jazz Jan 13, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) and Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) play for a loose ball in the second quarter at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports - 19785252
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) looks to pass the ball against Washington Wizards center Daniel Gafford (21) and forward Deni Avdija (9), right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 31, 2023, in Washington. The Magic won 116-109. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
SPORTS-BKN-THUNDER-MAGIC-1-OS The Orlando Magic's Paolo Banchero on the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Amway Center on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, in Orlando, Florida. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Orlando Magic v Detroit Pistons DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 19: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on October 19, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
2022 NBA Summer League - Houston Rockets v Orlando Magic LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 07: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic drives against Jabari Smith Jr. #1 of the Houston Rockets during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 07, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Banchero scored 20+ points in all four games and has scored 20+ points in five consecutive outings.
Orlando went a perfect 4-0 last week with wins over Toronto, Denver, Boston and Charlotte, and is currently riding a seven-game winning streak, tied for the longest active win streak in the NBA.
The 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year, Banchero has played and started in all 17 games this season for Orlando, averaging a team-high 19.8 ppg., 6.5 rpg., a team-high 4.6 apg. and 1.18 stlpg. in 33.5 minpg.
He has led (or tied) the Magic in scoring seven times, rebounding three times and in assists five times.
Banchero has scored in double figures 16 times, 20+ points nine times and 30+ points once, including a season-high 30 points on Nov. 2 @ Utah.
The Magic look to extend their seven-game winning streak tonight in the first of back-to-back home games against the Washington Wizards. Tip off is at 7 p.m.
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