Magic Rookie Anthony Black: What Position Will He Play?
Summer League is behind us, and it’s time to start looking toward the regular season for the Orlando Magic and rookie Anthony Black.
Orlando invested the No. 6 overall pick in Black, a player tailor-made for the modern NBA's brand of position-less basketball. The point guard in a forwards body played as well as advertised. Black had the highest average on the team in minutes, points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals.
Although Black shot 41 percent from the field and just 17 percent from 3-point range, his overall feel for the game and athleticism means he’ll likely find playing time with the Magic early on in 2023.
“Anthony Black may not start right away, but he will at some point of the season when it becomes evident that his size for a ball-handler, passing and defense can be effective right away,” Bleacher Report wrote. “He won’t have a set position. While he’s best on the ball, using his handle and change of pace to get to spots and his height and vision to make plays over defenders, the 6’7” Black should be interchangeable between the 1, 2 and 3."
Black’s versatility could make him a dangerous core piece alongside Paolo Banchero, the reigning Rookie of The Year. Though, when it comes to playing his true position, for Black to assert himself as Orlando’s point guard of the future, he’ll first need to beat out the former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz.
Despite injuries infamously limiting Fultz playing time and shot-making ability with the Philadelphia 76ers, he’s still only 25 years old and has done well for himself since joining the Magic. Last season, Fultz had the best NBA season of his career, averaging 14 points, 5.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds, shooting 31 percent from deep and 51 percent from the field, all career highs.
Still young enough to fit in with Orlando’s roster, Fultz will be a difficult player for Black to supplant as the team's starting point guard. However, thanks to his elite measurables, it’s only a matter of time before Black cracks the starting rotation regardless of the position that may be at, especially if he improves his jump shot this offseason.
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