ORLANDO, Fla. – Magic forward Paolo Banchero was selected by NBA coaches to be a reserve for the 2024 All-Star Game in Indianapolis on Feb. 18, the league announced Thursday in a pregame show on TNT.

What You Need To Know

  • Paolo Banchero is the ninth player in Magic history to be selected to play in the NBA All-Star Game

  • The second-year forward is one of seven Eastern Conference reserves revealed Thursday night

  • The reserves are chosen in voting by the NBA's head coaches

  • The All-Star Game will be played Feb. 18 in Indianapolis

Banchero, the 2022-23 Rookie of the Year, is the first Orlando player to be named for the big game on All-Star Weekend since center Nikola Vučević in 2021. He is the ninth player in Orlando Magic history to be named an NBA All-Star, joining center Shaquille O’Neal (1993-96), guard Anfernee Hardaway (1995-98), guard/forward Tracy McGrady (2001-04), forward Grant Hill (2001, 2005), center Dwight Howard (2007-12), forward Rashard Lewis (2009), guard Jameer Nelson (2009) and Vučević (2019, 2021).

Following the announcement, the Magic shared Banchero's thoughts about his selection on X, formerly known as Twitter, and he said it makes him want to accomplish even more.

The other six players honored as Eastern Conference reserves are Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and his teammate, forward Julius Randle. The Knicks disclosed Thursday that Randle will be out at least through the All-Star break after disclocating his right shoulder Saturday in a victory against the Miami Heat.

The seven reserves for the Western Conference are Los Angeles Clippers forwards Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Los Angeles Lakers power forward/center Anthony Davis, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards and his teammate, forward Karl-Anthony Towns.

Banchero, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is averaging 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 34.9 minutes played per game, leading Orlando in all those categories. He has played in all 48 of the Magic’s games this season.

He has led (or tied) the Magic in scoring 25 times, in rebounding 14 times and in assists 21 times. He has scored in double figures 45 times, 20-plus points 31 times, 30-plus points eight times and 40-plus points twice, including a career-high 43 points on Jan. 3 in Sacramento.

He also was named the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career in the week ended Nov. 26, 2023.

Earlier in the week, Banchero was one of 10 second-year players named to play in the Rising Stars competition on Friday night of All-Star Weekend for the second year in a row. The event showcases the league’s best young players.