ORLANDO, Fla. — There’s been a lot of focus on Paolo Banchero’s scoring through his first six games. That is understandably so after scoring 21 points in the Orlando Magic’s 113-93 home win over the Charlotte Hornets Friday to become just the sixth player in NBA history to start his career with six consecutive 20-point games.
Banchero, the No. 1 pick in June’s draft, joined the elite company of Wilt Chamberlain (56), Elvin Hayes (10) and Grant Hill, Dominique Wilkins and Oscar Robertson (six) as the lone players to accomplish the feat.
But through the first four weeks of his NBA career (counting preseason), Banchero’s biggest growth has come as a passer and playmaker, which was evident by his season-high 7 assists Friday.