Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero explained the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to him and how it has impacted the NBA.
The former No. 1 overall pick explained that basketball and MLK Day have gone together all throughout his life, and that the diversity that is currently in the NBA wouldn’t be possible without the impact and influence of Dr. King.
“MLK Day has been a part of my life forever,” Banchero told Andscape’s Marc J. Spears. “One thing I always associate with MLK Day for me is basketball. I’ve always had MLK tournaments. Elementary school through AAU to high school, we’ve had MLK tournaments. So, whenever we’re celebrating Martin Luther King, I always feel like there should be some good basketball being played. We know what Martin Luther King did for not only our country, but for the world. Helping us progress in the right direction and help us love one another, no matter the color of our skin. You see that more than ever now in the NBA and all over. You got guys from all different backgrounds, races, religions, all in this one league, playing against each other, competing. Honestly, none of this would be possible if there wasn’t for Martin Luther King. So, it’s always an honor to celebrate this day and hopefully play some basketball.”
Banchero certainly makes a great point about King’s impact and his fight for equal rights in the United States. The NBA has so many different players from different walks of life in one league, and it’s allowed the game of basketball to flourish globally.
Players that are starring in the NBA come from different backgrounds and different countries all to work together for a common goal to win an NBA title.
On Monday, the NBA honored King with several players sharing messages about his legacy and impact on society.
"Resilient in his message, his purpose every single day."
Players around the NBA discuss the legacy and societal impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. #MLKDay
Learn more at https://t.co/mZwD4xqQ98 pic.twitter.com/3j2a3h28GA
— NBA (@NBA) January 20, 2025
The NBA also features eight games on Monday with several tipping off in the early afternoon.
While Banchero and the Magic weren’t one of the team’s tabbed to play on MLK Day this season, it’s clear that there is a relationship between the day and basketball in the one-time All-Star’s life.
This season has been a tough one for Banchero, as an oblique injury sidelined him early on in the campaign. He’s since returned to the lineup for the Magic, playing in each of the team’s last five games.
Orlando is just 1-4 over that stretch, but Banchero is playing well. The young forward is averaging 21.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game since returning despite playing just 27.6 minutes per night.
For the entire 2024 season to date, Banchero is averaging 25.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game while knocking down 46.2 percent of his shots from the field and 35.8 percent from downtown.
Orlando currently holds the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 23-21 record.
It’s great to see NBA players like Banchero recognizing and honoring the legacy left by Dr. King. Hopefully for Banchero, he will get a chance to play on MLK Day in the near future.
For now, the star forward is focused on leading Orlando to the playoffs for the second straight season. Last season, the Magic earned the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, but they were eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs – losing that series in seven games.
