Anthony Black

Anthony Black Bio

Anthony Black is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2022 class.

Early Life and Background

Anthony Black was born on January 20, 2004, in Duncanville, Texas. He is the son of Terry and Jennifer Black. His mother played soccer for the Texas Longhorns and Baylor Bears, while his father played college basketball for the Baylor Bears and professionally overseas. When Black was just 10 months old, his family moved to Germany due to his father’s basketball career. He became fluent in German by the age of three. The family returned to the United States when it was time for Black to start kindergarten. His parents separated during his childhood, and he was primarily raised by his mother. Black grew up in Coppell, Texas, and initially attended Coppell High School, where he averaged 16.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and two steals per game as a junior. He also played football at Coppell, catching 78 passes for 1,327 yards and 16 touchdowns over two varsity seasons. Before his senior year, he transferred to Duncanville High School. Due to eligibility issues, Black played in only 15 games during his senior season, averaging 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, four assists, and 2.2 steals per game.

Path to Basketball

Anthony Black was rated as a five-star recruit and committed to playing college basketball for the University of Arkansas after considering offers from Gonzaga, Oklahoma State, and Texas Christian University. He also received scholarship offers for football from Texas, Baylor, and Arkansas but ultimately chose to pursue basketball. Black entered his freshman season at Arkansas as a starting guard and was projected as a potential first-round selection in the 2023 NBA Draft. He made an immediate impact, averaging 22 points over three games during the 2022 Maui Invitational Tournament and was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman of the Week. By the end of the regular season, he was named to the SEC All-Freshman team, finishing the year with averages of 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. After his freshman season, he announced that he would forgo the remainder of his college eligibility and enter the 2023 NBA Draft.

Anthony Black Career

Early Career (2023-Present)

The Orlando Magic selected Anthony Black with the sixth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. This selection tied him 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 winner Sidney Moncrief. Black also became the highest draft pick for a Duncanville High School player, surpassing Greg Ostertag, who was selected 28th overall in the 1995 NBA Draft.

Breakthrough (2023-Present)

Anthony Black made his professional debut with the Orlando Magic during the 2023 NBA season. On December 26, 2023, he recorded a career-high 23 points and four steals in a win against the Washington Wizards. His performance showcased his potential as a key player for the Magic. On April 15, 2025, Black contributed 16 points off the bench and shot 100% from three-point range in a play-in tournament victory against the Atlanta Hawks, helping secure the Magic a spot in the playoffs. He continued to impress with a new career-high of 31 points, along with three assists off the bench in an Emirates NBA Cup win over the Philadelphia 76ers on November 25, 2025.

Notable Works and Milestones

Anthony Black’s signature work includes his standout performances in college and his rapid rise in the NBA. His achievements include being named a McDonald’s All-American and participating in the Nike Hoop Summit in 2022.

Anthony Black Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Anthony Black has received notable recognition, including being named a McDonald’s All-American and earning a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team.

Anthony Black Awards Won

Anthony Black has won several accolades, including being named to the Nike Hoop Summit team and receiving the SEC Freshman of the Week honors during his time at Arkansas.