ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic have signed forward Franz Wagner (VOG-ner) to a contract extension, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.
Wagner (6’10”, 230, 8/27/01) played and started in 72 regular season games last season with Orlando, averaging 19.7 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 3.7 apg. and 1.06 stlpg. in 32.5 minpg., while shooting .850 (271-319) from the free throw line. He led (or tied) the team in scoring 23 times, in rebounding 10 times and in assists 15 times. Wagner scored in double figures 69 times, 20+ points 33 times and 30+ points seven times, including a career-high-tying 38 points on Feb. 4 @ Detroit. He also played and started in seven playoff games, averaging 18.9 ppg., 6.9 rpg., 4.4 apg. and 1.29 blkpg. in 37.1 minpg. On Apr. 27 vs. Cleveland in Game #4 of the first round, Wagner tallied 34 points and 13 rebounds, while shooting 13-of-17 from the field and not committing a turnover, becoming just the fifth NBA player since 1977-78 (when individual turnovers were first tracked) with 30+ points, 10+ rebounds, 75+ FG% and no turnovers in a playoff game, and the first since May 4, 1991 (Charles Barkley).
Originally selected in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2021 NBA Draft by Orlando, Wagner has played and started in 231 career NBA regular season games, all with Orlando, averaging 17.8 ppg., 4.6 rpg. and 3.4 apg. in 31.9 minpg., while shooting .850 (731-860) from the free throw line. He was named to the 2021-22 NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Prior to being drafted, Wagner played and started in 55 career games during two seasons (2019-21) at the University of Michigan, averaging 12.0 ppg., 6.1 rpg., 2.0 apg. and 1.25 stlpg. in 31.2 minpg., while shooting .835 (111-133) from the free throw line. A native of Berlin, Germany, he will play with the German National Team during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Wagner also led Germany to the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup championship and was named to the FIBA Basketball World Cup All-Second Team.
