Anthony Black Bio
Anthony Black is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on January 20, 2004, he plays the point guard position and was selected sixth overall in the 2023 NBA draft. Before turning professional, he played one season of college basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks, where he earned recognition on the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman Team.
Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and listed at 200 pounds, Black is known for his versatility, defensive instincts, and ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories. He is the step-brother of professional basketball player Micah Peavy.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Black was born in Irving, Texas, to parents Terry and Jennifer. His mother, Jennifer, played college soccer for the Texas Longhorns and Baylor Bears, while his father, Terry, played college basketball for the Baylor Bears and later played professionally overseas. When Black was just ten months old, his family moved to Germany, where his father was playing, and he became fluent in German by the age of three. He later returned to the United States with his mother to begin kindergarten.
Black’s parents split during his childhood, and he was raised primarily by his mother. He grew up in Coppell, Texas, where he initially attended Coppell High School. As a junior, he averaged 16.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and two steals per game and was named second-team all-area. Black also played football as a wide receiver, catching 78 passes for 1,327 yards and 16 touchdowns across two varsity seasons. He transferred to Duncanville High School before his senior year, where eligibility issues limited him to 15 games. He averaged 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, four assists, and 2.2 steals per game at Duncanville.
Path to Professional Basketball
Black was rated a consensus five-star recruit and was one of the top players in the 2022 class. He committed to playing college basketball at Arkansas after considering scholarship offers from Gonzaga, Oklahoma State, and TCU, and he also explored the possibility of playing professionally in the NBA G League. He was named a McDonald’s All-American in 2022 and participated in the 2022 Nike Hoop Summit, two of the most prestigious high school basketball honors in the United States.
He also drew attention as a high-level football recruit, receiving scholarship offers from Texas, Baylor, and Arkansas. Ultimately, he chose basketball and headed to Fayetteville, where he stepped into the Arkansas Razorbacks’ rotation as a freshman starter. His path through elite high school competition and international youth tournaments prepared him for the demands of college basketball in the SEC.
Anthony Black Career
College Career (2022–2023)
Black entered his freshman season at Arkansas as a starting guard and was regarded as a potential first-round selection in the 2023 NBA draft. He averaged 22 points over three games during the 2022 Maui Invitational Tournament and was named the SEC Freshman of the Week. His strong all-around play helped him earn a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team at the end of the regular season.
Across his lone college campaign, Black averaged 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. Following the season, he announced that he would forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2023 NBA draft, where he was projected as a lottery selection.
Orlando Magic Era (2023–Present)
The Orlando Magic selected Anthony Black with the sixth overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. He was tied for the second-highest draft pick by an Arkansas Razorbacks player since the NBA was established in 1949, alongside Joe Kleine, and trailing only former two-time Defensive Player of the Year Sidney Moncrief. Black was also the highest draft pick ever to come out of Duncanville High School, surpassing Greg Ostertag, who had been selected 28th overall in 1995.
On December 26, 2023, Black recorded a career-high 23 points and four steals in a win against the Washington Wizards. He continued to develop his role with the Magic over his first two professional seasons, providing energy on both ends of the floor. On April 15, 2025, Black scored 16 points off the bench and shot 3-for-3 from three-point range in a play-in tournament victory against the Atlanta Hawks, helping the Magic secure a spot in the playoffs.
Black’s scoring reached new heights in the 2025–2026 NBA season. On November 25, 2025, he recorded a new career-high 31 points along with three assists off the bench in an Emirates NBA Cup win over the Philadelphia 76ers. On December 27, he raised his career high again to 38 points in a comeback win against the Denver Nuggets.
National Team Career
Black represented the United States at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship in Mexico. He averaged 4.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, helping the United States win the gold medal and gaining valuable international experience before his college career began.
Notable Events and Milestones
Black’s selection as the sixth overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft marked a historic moment for both Arkansas basketball and Duncanville High School. His emergence as a high-volume scorer during the 2025–2026 season, including back-to-back career-high performances in November and December of 2025, signaled his continued development as a key contributor for the Magic.
Anthony Black Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Anthony Black was raised by his mother, Jennifer, after his parents separated during his childhood. His father, Terry, played college basketball at Baylor and professionally overseas, which gave Black early exposure to the game. His mother also brought athletic pedigree to the family, having played college soccer for the Texas Longhorns and the Baylor Bears.
Black is the step-brother of Micah Peavy, a fellow professional basketball player. He spent part of his early childhood in Germany before returning to Texas, an experience that shaped his adaptability and comfort in new environments.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marked a major step forward in Anthony Black’s professional trajectory. In April 2025, he delivered a key playoff push performance, scoring 16 points off the bench and going 3-for-3 from three-point range in a play-in tournament win over the Atlanta Hawks, helping the Orlando Magic clinch a playoff berth.
As the 2025–2026 NBA season unfolded, Black’s offensive role expanded significantly. His 31-point effort against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 25, 2025, in an Emirates NBA Cup game showed an increased scoring punch off the bench, and just over a month later, he set a new career high of 38 points in a comeback win over the Denver Nuggets on December 27.
With the Magic building around a young core, Black’s continued development as a two-way guard positions him as a long-term piece of the franchise. His combination of size, defensive instincts, and growing offensive confidence suggests a promising outlook as Orlando competes in the Eastern Conference.
