Pro Hawgs: Anthony Black has been selected in the NBA Draft

Arkansas’ most consistent true freshmen last season has been selected with the sixth in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic.

Anthony Black is possibly the most versatile player in the draft at point guard. The 6’7 guard wowed scouts this season with frame and ability to defend the wing.

Due to his size Black can make plays with the ball in his hands or switch off ball with screens. He displayed an ability to make double moves and force his way to the basket. An above average ability to finish at the rim gives _____ a guard that can do it all.

Although Black played several games with a nagging ankle injury, he still led the SEC in minutes played at 1255. He shot 45-percent from the field, 30-percent from three and 71-percent from the line.

The Duncanville, (Texas) native doesn’t mind getting the hard work done on the boards where he averaged 5.2 rebounds per game. Black also forced 2.1 steals per contest flashing playmaking ability as a defender.

Anthony Black is the best perimeter defender in the 2023 NBA draft and has huge upside as a 6'7 point with an elite feel for the game. pic.twitter.com/zIOVHkASNC

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 19, 2023

Ahead of the NBA Combine, Eric Musselman was very complimentary of Black and his Arkansas teammates on Wednesday.

“From a point guard position, you’re not going to find a better rebounder at his position,” Musselman said. “He’s really, really, really unselfish. He does some things just is better than anyone else in the draft. I mentioned the rebounding. He’s an excellent shot-blocker for his position. He had 22 shots blocked at the point guard position to go along with 74 steals.

“Probably the most impressive number of all is his 34.8 minutes that he averaged. I mean, you’re talking about a college freshman that played the most difficult position at a unique size, so he’s getting pressure by small point guards, but yet he plays 35 minutes per night, which led the SEC.”