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Anthony Black will begin his career with the Orlando Magic.
The former Arkansas guard was selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday night by the Magic.
Black becomes just the seventh lottery pick for the Razorbacks since the NBA Draft Lottery began back in 1985. And he ties Joe Klein for the highest-drafted player of the bunch. He joins Klein (1985, No. 6), Todd Day (1992, No. 8), Joe Johnson (2001, No. 10), Corliss Williamson (1995, No. 13), Ronnie Brewer (2006, No. 14), and Moses Moody (2021, No. 14).
He’s also just the third first-round selection for Arkansas since Brewer was drafted in 2006.
welcome to the O @AnthonyBlack24_ ?
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— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) June 23, 2023
The 6-foot-6 guard really helped himself during the pre-draft process and rocketed up draft boards. With length and elite vision, he provides an advanced pick-and-roll distributor who can make his teammates better and immediately assume control of an NBA attack. That’s what he showed at Arkansas in just one season.
He was an All-SEC Second Team selection and the only SEC player to rank top-25 in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, and blocked shots. Black averaged 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.1 steals a game while playing the most minutes of anyone in the league.
He helped lead Arkansas to a 22-14 mark and its third consecutive trip to the Sweet 16.
Black checks the boxes teams want to see checked as an NBA playmaker. He has a high basketball IQ and that shows up on the defensive end of the floor as well.
Ultimately, his ability to knock down shots might be what determines his ceiling. Black shot just 30.1% on 3s and was a 70.5% shooter at the free throw line. As the engine of an offense, there are question marks about his ability to generate buckets for himself. He wasn’t a great pull-up shooter, and his shooting mechanics could limit him to more of a spot-up scorer if things don’t develop in that area.
At the moment, Black joins a crowded backcourt in Orlando. The Magic drafted former Gonzaga point guard Jalen Suggs with the No. 5 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. They also drafted Cole Anthony No. 15 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. Reports ahead of the draft suggested either could be on the trade block going forward.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
