ORLANDO - Orlando Magic forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have been selected to participate in the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars, which will be played on Friday, Feb. 17 at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah as part of NBA All-Star 2023. TNT will televise the annual showcase of premier young talent at 9 p.m. ET.
Banchero has played and started in 44 games this season for Orlando, averaging 20.7 ppg., 6.4 rpg., 3.7 apg. and 1.02 stlpg. in 33.7 minpg. He leads the Magic in scoring and minutes played. Banchero has led (or tied) the team in scoring a team-high 20 times, in rebounding 12 times and in assists seven times. He has scored in double figures 41 times, 20+ points 27 times and 30+ points four times, including a career-high 33 points on Nov. 5 vs. Sacramento. Banchero has also recorded seven double-doubles and pulled down 10+ rebounds seven times, including a career-high 16 rebounds on Nov. 5 vs. Sacramento.
Banchero was named the Kia NBA’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in December. As of Jan. 31, he ranks 40th in the NBA in scoring. Banchero also leads all rookies in scoring and minutes played, while ranking among rookie leaders in rebounding (fourth), assists (third), field goal percentage (ninth), free throw percentage (fifth), steals (third) and blocked shots (ninth). He was selected in the first round (first overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft.
Wagner has played and started in 50 games this season for Orlando, averaging 19.9 ppg., 4.0 rpg. and 3.5 apg. in 33.1 minpg., while shooting .843 (188-223) from the free throw line. He has led (or tied) the team in scoring 17 times, in rebounding once and in assists 13 times. Wagner has scored in double figures a team-high 47 times, 20+ points 26 times and 30+ points three times, including a season-high 34 points on Dec. 9 vs. Toronto.
Wagner was named to the 2021-22 NBA All-Rookie First Team. This is his second selection to the NBA Rising Stars event.
For the second straight season, Jordan Rising Stars will feature a three-game mini tournament among four teams comprised of NBA rookies, sophomores and NBA G League players. The pool of 28 players for Jordan Rising Stars consists of 11 NBA rookies, 10 NBA sophomores and seven NBA G League players.
The combined 21 NBA players for Jordan Rising Stars, selected by NBA assistant coaches, will be drafted onto three seven-player teams. The seven NBA G League players, selected by the NBA league office, will comprise the fourth team.
12 players have previously represented the Orlando Magic during the Rising Stars game. Past participants include: Anfernee Hardaway (1994), Mike Miller (2001, 2002), Dwight Howard (2005, 2006), Jameer Nelson (2006 out with injury), Andrew Nicholson (2013), Nikola Vučević (2013), Victor Oladipo (2014, 2015), Elfrid Payton (2015, 2016), Mario Hezonja (2016), Cole Anthony (2022), Jalen Suggs (2022) and Franz Wagner (2022).