Magic Take Bankero 1st, Holmgren and Smith follow in NBA Draft

New York — Questions leading up to the NBA draft Was whether the first pick was Paolo Bankero, Chet Holmgren, or Jabari Smith Jr. ..

The answer finally came Thursday night — and even Banchero didn't know it shortly before the announcement of Orlando Magic's choice.

"The information I was told made me feel that it was just floating in the air," Banchero said. "Orlando wasn't sure yet and was ready for anything.

" But until about 20 seconds before the commissioner went on stage, I actually chose. I didn't know it was. I didn't even have time to really think about it. It happened a bit. I can't believe it, but I'm ready. I'm ready. "

Mike Krzyzewski After leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four in the final season of Krzyzewski, the 6-foot-10 forward was first summoned by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to start the draft and hit Smith in the first year forward. I defeated it. And Holmgren.

The order was discussed throughout the process and Smith was often considered the number one player.

Instead, he fell not second, but third to Houston behind Holmgren.

"I definitely added a tip, but God doesn't make a mistake, so I'm happy to be here," Smith said. "I'm happy to be where I wanted. I'm happy to get to Houston and show them and give them what they chose. I'm happy to be here.

All the selected players seemed excited, and Banchero was crying and approaching while hugging his friends and family.

Wearing a glittering purple suit, Duke received a big applause at the Barclays Center, where he lost in the ACC tournament final.

Magic was the first choice for the fourth time and the previous choice worked. They won Shaquille O'Neal in 1992, exchanged Chris Webber's rights with Penny Hardaway the following year, and went with Dwight Howard in 2004.

Everything has finally reached the NBA Finals. magic.

Holmgren came in second after Oklahoma City Thunder after a 7-foot player in Gonzaga's block shots, rebounds and shots led the West Coast Conference. He wore a black suit and looked sharp, but to be successful in the NBA, he's listed for just £ 195, so he may eventually need to be a bigger size.

He is not worried about the story.

"I wake up every day with plans on how to make myself a better person, a better basketball player," Holmgren said. "I've put so much effort into doing that that one is out of control and two really leave no room for effort to help me get better. "

The rocket has arrived at Smith, who has higher skills. The 6-10 forward from Auburn fits naturally into the current NBA game, defending all three front court positions and hitting 42% behind the arc with a shooting stroke.

Forward Keegan Murray made a big leap in his second season at Iowa and then jumped to fourth place in Sacramento Kings. Detroit Pistons placed athletic purdue guard Jaden Ivey in fifth place a year after Cade Cunningham was in first place.

Before the selection began, Silver celebrated the Golden State Warriors' recent NBA championship and reminded fans that Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green cores were built through the draft. I did.

All the teams at the top of this draft need help and hope that the Warriors' approach will help them as the recent high picks are already on the roster.

Canadian Benedict Maturin, who played in Arizona, went to India with a sixth-place pick. Following the Portland Trail Blazers, Kentucky's Shadeon Sharp, G League Ignite's Dyson Daniels finishes the top 10 in New Orleans, Baylor's Jeremy Sochan finishes in 9th in San Antonio, and Washington finishes in the top 10 with Johnny Davis in Wisconsin. I did.