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Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero is the Rookie of the Year while Jazz star Lauri Markkanen takes home Most Improved Player
As soon as Paolo Banchero was selected first overall in the 2017 draft, he immediately established himself as the favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
After leading all rookies in scoring and helping the Magic go from a 22-win team last season to a 34-win team that competed for a play-in place this season, Banchero was named the clear winner of the top rookie award for the current campaign.
The former Duke star scored 20 points on average each game and led the Rookies to the NBA All-star Rising game.
The most among rookies this season, he had 40 games with at least 20 points and 15 games with at least 25 points.
Four times he was named rookie of the month, which only served to emphasize how far ahead of the competition he was.
Along with Mike Miller, who represents Banchero, and Shaquille O'Neal, he became the third Magic player to earn the Rookie of the Year award.
Banchero received 98 out of 100 first-place votes from a group of writers and broadcasters who cover the league.
The Oklahoma City Thunder's Jalen Williams finished second, and the Utah Jazz's Walker Kessler finished third. Banchero missed out on two first-place votes, which Kessler received.
Since Karl-Anthony Towns in 2016, Banchero is the first No. 1 pick to win the award the season after being selected. Ben Simmons earned the prize in 2018, two years after going No. 1.
Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen named NBA Most Improved Player
Lauri Markkanen, a forward with the Utah Jazz, has been selected the 2022–23 NBA Most Improved Player.
In Helsinki, where Markkanen is currently completing the mandatory military duty that is required of all Finnish men before they turn 30, the news broke late at night.
Markkanen won the prize by defeating other finalists Jalen Brunson of New York and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City.
Markkanen received 69 of the 100 first-place votes and was listed on every ballot.
Gilgeous-Alexander came in second with 24 first-place votes, and Brunson finished third with four first-place votes.
The six-year player, who was dealt from Cleveland to the Jazz last summer, just finished his debut season with the Jazz.
During what ended up being his first All-Star season, the veteran enhanced both his individual production and efficiency in every area.
Markkanen set career highs in scoring (25.6), rebounds (8.6), assists (1.9), and free throw attempts (9.0), while shooting 49.9% overall, 39.1% from 3-point range, and 87.5% from the free throw line.
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He earned a starting spot in the 2023 All-Star Game in Salt Lake City by leading Utah in scoring, grabbing rebounds, and free throw attempts.
Only the MVP remains, which is the biggest individual award of them all.
A finalist once more is Denver's Nikola Jokic, who has won the award twice. Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee and Joel Embiid of Philadelphia are also in the running.
When the MVP award will be given out is unknown according to the NBA. Additionally, the All-NBA, All-Rookie, and All-Defensive teams have not yet been announced.
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