NEW YORK: The Orlando Magic selected Duke freshman Paolo Banchero on Thursday night with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.
After leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four in coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final season, the 6-foot-10 forward was called first by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to begin the draft, beating out fellow first-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. and Chet Holmgren.
Banchero, wearing a purple suit full of bling, received a loud ovation inside Barclays Center, where Duke lost in the ACC Tournament final.
The Magic were picking first for the fourth time and they’ve done well with their previous choices. They took Shaquille O’Neal in 1992, traded the rights to Chris Webber for Penny Hardaway the next year, and went with Dwight Howard in 2004.
All eventually reached the NBA Finals with the Magic.
Holmgren went second to the Oklahoma City Thunder after the 7-footer led the West Coast Conference in blocked shots, rebounding and shooting percentage at Gonzaga. He looked sharp in his black suit but may need it to eventually be a bigger size for success in the NBA, as he’s listed at just 195 pounds.
The Houston Rockets took Smith at third, happy to end up with a player who many thought would end up going first. The 6-10 forward from Auburn is a natural fit in the current NBA game, able to defend all three frontcourt positions and with a shooting stroke that allowed him to hit 42 percent behind the arc.
Forward Keegan Murray, after a huge leap in his second season in Iowa, jumped all the way to the No. 4 pick by the Sacramento Kings. The Detroit Pistons, a year after taking Cade Cunningham with the No. 1 pick, took athletic Purdue guard Jaden Ivey fifth.
Before the selections began, Silver congratulated the Golden State Warriors on their recent NBA championship and reminded fans that their core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green was built through the draft.
All the teams at the top of this draft need help and have recent high picks already on their rosters, so will hope the Warriors way works for them as well.
Magic take Banchero 1st, Holmgren, Smith follow in NBA draft
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Magic take Banchero 1st, Holmgren, Smith follow in NBA draft
Paqueta moves to Flamengo after West Ham agree fee
- British media reported that West Ham have accepted an offer in excess of $49m
- “Paqueta is coming back. The good son returns home... A historic move,” the Brazilian side said
LONDON: West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta will return to his boyhood club Flamengo, both clubs confirmed on Wednesday.
Financial details were not disclosed but British media reported that West Ham have accepted an offer in excess of 41 million euros ($49 million) for the 28-year-old Brazil international.
Flamengo, last season’s Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A and Campeonato Carioca champions, confirmed the signing on social media.
“Paqueta is coming back. The good son returns home... A historic move. A milestone in the global football market, on a scale worthy of Flamengo,” the Brazilian side said in an Instagram video post.
“I am very happy to be back home. I would like to thank President Bap (Luiz Eduardo Baptista), Flamengo, our sponsors and, of course, the entire nation that made this possible,” Paqueta said in the video.
Paqueta was cleared of four spot-fixing charges by the English Football Association in July following a lengthy investigation. Paqueta, who was facing the risk of a lifetime ban, denied the charges.
“Lucas has made it clear that, for personal and family reasons, he wishes to return home to Brazil and make a fresh start after being cleared in July 2025 of FA misconduct charges that took two years to be resolved — a situation that caused him significant mental strain,” West Ham said in a statement.
“Despite the club doing everything possible to persuade Lucas to stay, he has remained adamant that his wish is to leave. Therefore, the head coach (Nuno Espirito Santo) and the club have reluctantly agreed to accept his transfer request.”
Paqueta joined West Ham from French side Olympique Lyonnais in 2022, having previously played for AC Milan. His contract with the Premier League club was due to run until 2027.
He made 139 appearances for West Ham, scoring 23 goals and providing 15 assists. He was also part of the squad that won the UEFA Conference League in the 2022-23 season.
“West Ham United would like to take this opportunity to thank our management, players, staff and loyal supporters for the unwavering and devoted support they have shown to Lucas throughout his time at the club and, in particular, over the past two and a half years,” the East London side added.
West Ham sit 18th in the league table with 20 points from 23 matches, five points adrift of the safety zone.
