Anthony Black was thrust into the rotation early this season for the Orlando Magic, and the sixth pick has had some impressive moments in that role.
Black logged nine total minutes over the first four games of the season. However, the team turned to him in the next game with Markelle Fultz out of the lineup due to a knee injury. He responded by producing nine points in 15 minutes in a win over the Utah Jazz.
The 19-year-old has since started 17 times, including the last 15 straight games. He is averaging 4.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 43.5% shooting from the field in that role.
He is gaining confidence with the team each game.
“I think I might have said a couple of weeks ago: Every game feels like it is slowing down a little more,” Black said on Monday. “I’m definitely starting to feel more comfortable and kind of starting to figure out my spots and stuff like that.”
Black has the fifth-most starts by a first-year player this season and was likely thrown into the mix earlier than anticipated. The team had a bit of a logjam in the backcourt, with Fultz, Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, Gary Harris and Joe Ingles in the rotation.
He has played a big part in the Magic having their best start since the 2010-11 season. They improved to 16-7 after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday and are 13-4 with Black in the starting lineup.
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said Black has fit in well with the team.
The players have done a great job with him. The coaches have done a fantastic job with him of just his body of work. He is studying more film and the coaches are talking to him and communicating with him. He is comfortable being on the floor with those guys.
They trust him and realize how much confidence he has in his abilities, as well as he just knows how to play. Then, you talk about the defensive side of the ball, where he has always been special. I think that is something our guys understand and rely on that, as well.
Black joined the Magic known as a defensive-minded guard. He has provided the team with a defensive presence in the starting lineup in place of Fultz, who hasn’t played since Nov. 9. With his help, the Magic are third in the league in defense.
From Luka Doncic to Darius Garland, Black has been asked to guard some of the top players in the league. He relishes those opportunities and matchups.
“I definitely take pride in trying to affect them as much as possible,” Black said. “They’re the best players in the world. There is only so much you can do, but (I) definitely take pride in my matchups.”
Black may not have some of the eye-popping stats as some other rookies, but the former Arkansas standout is affecting winning on a team currently second in the Eastern Conference and earning the trust of his teammates in the process.
“He isn’t shying away from guarding the best players,” Franz Wagner said. “He has a good energy about him when he is out there. I think that is a cool thing for a young guy to come in and immediately show that they can play and help us in a lot of ways.”
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