Orlando Magic Rookie Anthony Black 'Phenomenal' In Win vs. Los Angeles Lakers
ORLANDO - Orlando Magic rookie Anthony Black is turning heads early in his career.
Black played 30 minutes in his first career start in Saturday's win against the Los Angeles Lakers and was a +32 on the night. It was by far the most minutes he's played in a game in his young career, with the previous high being 16.
Coach Jamahl Mosley praised rookie guard Anthony Black for stepping up in his first career start.
"Anthony did a phenomenal job of guarding and defending without fouling his ability to use his length to his advantage guys not being able to get by him," Mosley said.
The Orlando Magic drafted Anthony Black with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft out of Arkansas.
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In the 120-101 win, he recorded 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal on 4 of 6 shooting from the field. The rookie guard also went 2 of 3 from beyond the arc after one of the biggest knocks against him as a prospect was his shooting.
"He embraces moments," Mosley said. "He's got a high basketball IQ. He's tough. And he's a team guy. He's willing to make the easy play the easy pass and the right decision. So I think those are the things that stand out the most is that his maturity level for a young man and his rookie year."
Black was filling in for Markelle Fultz, who was ruled out for the game due to swelling in his knee.
"I felt like I was pretty ready for it so there wasn't really a sense a nerve or anything like that," Black said. "It really just turned into me getting fully locked in getting ready to play."
If Fultz can't go again against the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. ET, Black will likely make the second start of his NBA career.
