7:31 p.m. ET
Tim Bontemps ESPN
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero was named the overwhelming winner of the NBA’s Rookie of the Year honors on Tuesday.
Banchero dominated the voting with 98 votes out of 100 in first place and 494 out of a possible 500 points. He was followed in the voting by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams and Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, with Kessler claiming the remaining two votes for first place.
Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin, Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray and Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey each received at least one vote.
| PLAYER | 1 | 2. | 3. | IN TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P. Banchero | 98 | 1 | 1 | 494 |
| yes Williams | 0 | 75 | 16 | 241 |
| W. Kessler | 2 | 17 | 53 | 114 |
| B. Mathurin | 0 | 4 | 15 | 27 |
| K Murray | 0 | 3 | 12 | 21 |
| J Ivey | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Banchero, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s NBA draft, averaged 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists this season. He becomes the third Magic player to win Rookie of the Year, along with Shaquille O’Neal and Mike Miller. Banchero led all rookies in points per game, scoring 40 20-point minimums and six 30-point minimums.
Williams, the No. 12 pick in last year’s draft, averaged 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Thunder and helped Oklahoma City make it to the play-in tournament, where they beat Minnesota in the Game 8-9 lost.
Kessler was originally brought in from the Timberwolves with the No. 22 before being sent to Utah in trade with Rudy Gobert last summer. He averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game for Utah as the 7-foot-1 center quickly established himself as a defensive force for the Jazz.
Banchero follows Lauri Markkanen, who won Monday’s NBA award for Best Improved Player, and several others honored last week: Defensive Player of the Year (Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr.); Clutch Player of the Year (Kings Guard De’Aaron Fox); Coach of the Year (Kings coach Mike Brown); and sixth man of the year (Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon).
The All-NBA, All-Defense, and All-Rookie teams — along with the league’s Most Valuable Player award — will be revealed later this postseason.