The start of the new 2022-2023 NBA season brings fresh hope, optimism and excitement for Orlando Magic players, coaches and fans alike. The endless array of possibilities and new successes on the horizon will fill not only the Amway Center, but the entire Central Florida area with an electric buzz of positive energy.
With awesome players and coaches, combined with the expertise of AdventHealth in the Magic’s corner as their Official Health Care Provider, this season is sure to ignite the passions of our community.
The Magic Welcome Back Head Coach Jamahl Mosley
Coach Mosley joined the Magic last season. Previously, he played college basketball for the University of Colorado Buffalos before heading abroad to play professionally in Mexico, Australia, Finland and South Korea.
Then, he returned home and began his coaching career in the NBA as an assistant for the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks. With such a diverse resume, Coach Mosley brings a dynamic approach to his role with the Magic.
“My offensive philosophy is simple; I want to keep it as simple as possible,” says Mosley. “I want to play with pace, I want to play with space and I want to play with the pass. I think the pass brings energy to the game and allows people to be at their best. I want to put these guys in the best positions to succeed.”
“Defensively, I want to be a tough, talkative, high-level communication team,” says Mosley, who spent the final three of his seven seasons in Dallas as the organization’s defensive coordinator. “And then tied together defensively to be disruptive, to take teams out of their sets and their comfort zone.”
We’re happy to welcome back Coach Mosley for his second season!
New Talent and Returning Veterans for the Upcoming Season
The Magic got the first pick of the draft this year and selected Paolo Banchero, who is now firmly onboard their revamped roster. Banchero was a star collegiate basketball player for the Duke Blue Devils and it’s exciting to imagine what the Magic’s future holds with Paolo Banchero in our corner.
Along with Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner, who joined the Magic last season as fresh new picks, there is a bevy of veteran talent along for the ride this year. Robin Lopez also joined the team in the 2021-2022 season, along with returning players such as Terrance Ross, Michael Carter Williams, Cole Anthony, Wendall Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba.
Meet Dr. Tariq Awan, the Magic’s Official Team Doctor
Fultz and Isaac, as well as the entire Magic roster, won’t have to face their injuries alone. AdventHealth’s Tariq Awan, DO, will serve as the official team doctor. Dr. Awan is a board-certified family medicine and sports medicine physician with a special focus on musculoskeletal care and advanced techniques in managing overuse conditions and arthritis.
Dr. Awan is no stranger to working with high-level athletes. After his fellowship, Dr. Awan accepted a position with the Detroit Medical Center, where he was part of the team that provided care for the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings. He served as full-time team physician for the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings for three years before joining the University of Michigan, where he treated student-athletes in multiple intercollegiate sports and was a team physician for men’s hockey.
Dr. Awan says, “I always wanted to work in sports. When I realized my athletic career wouldn’t advance past high school, I turned my attention to sports medicine. I thought working with athletes and treating injuries and medical issues were the perfect blend for me.”
He continues, “I like to focus on how the partnership with the Magic can benefit the community and help promote the AdventHealth mission of wellness and a healthy lifestyle. So many of the medical issues we see today have a lifestyle component to their causes and prevention — heart disease, diabetes and hypertension, to name a few.”
“Eating right and exercising can be the best medicine. And this commitment is universal: it translates to high school athletes, weekend warriors, all the way to the professional level. I think it's a really powerful message that can be taken to the community.”
Looking Forward to a Thrilling New Season
With an exciting new addition to the Magic, along with returning with coaches and veterans alike, there is a genuine excitement for what this team can bring to the court. And along the way, AdventHealth will be there in lockstep with Dr. Awan helping the Magic stay healthy and whole.
Click here to learn more about AdventHealth’s winning partnership with the Orlando Magic. And learn how you can get the same pro-level care as the Magic at the state-of-the-art AdventHealth Training Center here.
