Magic Selects Anthony Black; How Good Can He Be?
ORLANDO - With the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic selected Arkansas point guard Anthony Black.
The new Magic point guard will be joining a young core highlighted by last year's Rookie of the Year winner, Paolo Banchero, and fellow forward, 21-year-old Franz Wagner, with expectations of forming the league's next big three, but just how good will this rookie be?
While playing for Arkansas this past year, Black averaged 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 30 percent from three-point range and over 70 percent from the free-throw line.
For context, on a game-to-game basis last season, Orlando's ascending star duo, Banchero, shot 30 percent from three while averaging 20 points per game, and Wagner averaged 18.6 points on 36.1 percent from three-point range.
“What makes Black special is his passing at 6-foot-7. He’s a great facilitator and can lead an effective offense.” SI said. “With that in mind, he needs to get better as a scorer to round out his offensive game. Regardless, tall playmakers are in high demand at the NBA level and he’s the type of player that would fit on nearly any team.”
Standing 6-7, Black provides exceptional size from the point guard position and will provide great defense. Black should fit nicely alongside the team's other core pieces, especially if he can improve his shooting.
Joining a young and ascending team like the Magic and commanding top-six draft capital comes with heavy expectations. However, based on the intangibles that Black is bringing to Orlando, it's safe to assume he'll prove to be a top-three player on the Magic's roster and hopefully help lead the team to the playoffs in 2023.
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