2022 draft top pick Paolo Banchero is slated to return for the Orlando Magic upon his sprained left ankle recovery.
According to Khobi Price of Orlando Sentinel, Banchero was activated by the Magic on Friday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Banchero has been out for the club’s previous seven-straight games after sustaining the sprain back on Nov. 7 in a home loss against the Houston Rockets.
“I’ve just got to be patient,” Banchero told Price. “It’s my first time dealing with injuries. At first, I wanted to rush as quickly as possible trying to get back. I realized that wasn’t doing any good for me. I’m trying to learn to be patient and continue to be patient and listen to myself.”
Banchero already joined Orlando’s Wednesday practice, which earlier hinted that all signs were pointing that he is nearing making a comeback.
The rookie big man out of Duke is having a robust year one for the Magic, leading his class in points (23.5), and boards (8.3), to go with 3.6 assists in 46.1 percent efficiency for 11 games played.
