Paolo Banchero's rehab sets high example for Magic

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Dec 21, 2024

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ORLANDO, Fla. — As Jalen Suggs spoke with the media after Saturday morning’s shootaround ahead of Orlando‘s night matchup with the visiting Heat, the Magic guard noticed something behind the group of reporters that brought a smile to his face.

On the other side of the court inside the AdventHealth Training Center, All-Star forward Paolo Banchero was going through some spot catch-and-shoot 3-point drills with assistant coach Jesse Mermuys under the watchful eye of VP of player performance and wellness Arnie Kander.

“I’m looking at him shooting right now while I’m jumping for joy on the inside,” Suggs said with a laugh about Banchero.

The frontcourt star was seen taking shots from a variety of spots on the perimeter before shifting to ball-handling drills with coach Jamahl Mosley watching nearby.

It’s all a part of the continued work done by Banchero, who’s been sidelined since the end of October due to a torn right abdominal muscle.

Although Banchero has remained involved with his teammates throughout his rehab process — constantly offering guidance from the bench throughout games and sharing his thoughts on what he sees in film sessions — Suggs and the Magic can’t wait to get him back on the court.

“Just having his presence back amongst us is going to be amazing,” Suggs said. “He’s used his voice throughout the time he’s been out. I know it’s been hard for him. It always is when you’re not playing to speak up at times and things like that. But to see how mentally locked in he’s been throughout this process, it’s been really cool.”

Mosley shared on Thursday that the Magic forward has been able to do ballhandling and jogging at his own pace, but Mosley said, “He hasn’t been able to do contact yet.”

Typically, full contact is the precursor to an injured player’s return to game action.

“It’s not an easy challenge,” Suggs said. “He’s faced it head on. He’s done everything that’s been asked from him. [I’m] just really excited to continue seeing him get back to himself and get back in the mix.”

Wagner Bros. deliver gifts

On Friday, Franz Wagner and Moe Wagner hosted youth from the Foundation for Foster Children for a Giving Tree Holiday Party at the AdventHealth Training Center.

Each kid had the chance to provide a wish list for the holidays with gifts provided by the Wagner brothers.

“It’s really important, especially for people who might not have a bunch of family around, to still celebrate at this time,” Franz said. “We just want to do our part to help them a little bit and bring a smile to their faces.”

Added Moe: “We grew up very, very privileged, and with that comes an awareness that you can’t take that for granted. [You have to] have an attitude and willingness to give back. We want to create that same environment for others that may not have been as lucky.”

The Giving Tree charitable initiative provides gifts, clothing and other necessities to underserved children and families. The Foundation for Foster Children was formed to address the surrounding foster children in Central Florida.

“Obviously, kids are awesome,” Moe said. “It’s so easy to have fun and bring a smile to their faces. It’s very important to us. It’s such an easy thing for us to do.”