ORLANDO, Fla. — Noah Penda made a strong impression in the first practice of training camp on Tuesday, earning approval from Orlando Magic teammate Paolo Banchero.

Penda was selected with the 32nd pick in the 2025 NBA draft, following a productive season with Le Mans Sarthe in the LNB Élite, the top league in France. He was one of 13 European players drafted this year, including a record six from France.

The 6-foot-6 forward was viewed as one of the top international prospects this year, thanks to his scoring, versatility on the defensive end of the court and size. Those traits, along with another key skill, have stood out to Banchero.

“I like him a lot,” Banchero said. “He is pretty quiet as a person, but his game is the opposite. He wreaks havoc out there on the floor. He has a great motor. He plays really hard. He actually has a pretty good feel offensively for how to make passes, when to make a play, when to be aggressive and when to play within the team. I like what I see.”

Penda was named the LNB Pro A Best Young Player last season, averaging 10.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals on 44.7% shooting from the field in 30 games. He ranked fourth in the French League in steals and 13th in rebounding.

The 20-year-old also spent two years with JA Vichy of the LNB Pro B league, the second division of French basketball. He is leaning on that past professional experience to help him with the transition to the Magic this season.

“This year is going to be my fourth season of being a rookie and being one of the youngest on the team,” Penda said. “This is going to be my fourth year pro, so I know what it takes to be on the court and get responsibility as a young player. I guess I’ll have to start over and do the same thing as I’ve been doing the last three years.”

Penda, like other foreign-born players, faced a unique challenge when arriving in the United States, having to acquire a Social Security number and other related documents. The team, led by president Jeff Weltman, assisted him and will provide any additional resources needed.

The Frenchman was one of a few new additions to the team, along with Desmond Bane, Tyus Jones and Jase Richardson. Coach Jamahl Mosley commended the front office, along with ownership, for creating a welcoming environment for Penda and the rest of the group.

They’ve done a tremendous job of getting him those things, providing him the information that he needs, and getting him to the spots he is supposed to be. But it is everybody embracing him and knowing what he needs. He is not afraid to ask the questions. He is inquisitive and wants to know what to do, but it takes all of us in the organization, and that is where I give so much credit to Jeff and his group and the DeVos family for bringing the right people in to make sure we embrace whoever comes into this organization the right and that they become a part of this culture that we have.

Penda logged three appearances with the Magic in summer league, averaging 11.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, three assists and 1.7 steals on 51.7% shooting from the field. He neared a double-double on July 13 with nine points and 14 rebounds.

The Magic, who ranked second in defensive rating last season, believe Penda can provide coach Mosley with yet another perimeter defender and versatility. He has worked extensively on his game this offseason and is eager to showcase himself in a new country.

“I think it is going to be (my) versatility,” Penda said. “I like one thing about me and my game is sometimes I do some things and people are like, ‘Oh, I didn’t know he could do that.’ I think showcasing that I’m able to do a lot of things is going to be one thing that I’m going to enjoy this year.”