The Orlando Magic don’t give their fans a whole lot to be excited about most of the time.
However, there are a few bright spots on the team: for example, Orlando currently has the draft’s number one pick, Paolo Banchero, who may very well win Rookie of the Year in 2022-23.
Last season, there were a few other young studs who impressed even though the team sat at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
One of those up-and-comers is Franz Wagner.
Franz Wagner looks to be taking the Year 2 leap putting together a dominant EuroBasket performance. Beautiful step-back three on Giannis Antetokounmpo as Germany leads Greece. pic.twitter.com/JdsMsv6UgY
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) September 13, 2022
Wagner had a significant rookie year with the Magic in 2021-22 and he’s looking to get even better in the season ahead.
He is currently representing his German national team in the EuroBasket tournament and is catching serious attention.
That was definitely true when he sank a stellar three-point shot over none other than two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo as Germany took on Greece.
Wagner isn’t a household name – yet.
But will that change in the upcoming seasons?
Greatness From Germany
During his rookie year, Wagner put up 15.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists.
He started in all 79 games he played in and was on the floor for just over 30 minutes a game.
Obviously, the Magic have a lot of belief in Wagner, who was the eighth overall pick in the 2021 draft.
The Magic want to build a roster of young, impressive players like Wanger and Banchero: they are focusing on talents like Jonathan Isaac, Wendell Carter Jr, Gary Harris, Jalen Suggs, and others.
There is a lot of youth on the team but there aren’t many wins yet.
The team was 15th in the East in 2021-22 and had a terrible 22-60 record.
They will still struggle in the year ahead but you can bet they will improve that number a bit.
