Magic guard Anthony Black ‘looks a lot better’ entering Year 2 in NBA

When Anthony Black wrapped up his second Las Vegas summer league in July, the young Magic guard believed he grew as a leader with the ball in his hands and could command an NBA offense as a point guard.

Fast-forward to Orlando s pair of preseason contests against the Pelicans and the Spurs last week, and its clear Black is playing with more intention and explosiveness for coach Jamahl Mosleys second unit.

He looks a lot better, Magic forward Paolo Banchero said recently about Black.

Just from Year 1 to Year 2, you can tell hes way more comfortable out there.

He has a lot more command of himself and others on the court.

Its just a testament to how he worked over the summer, Banchero added.

That work over the summer included rarely leaving the AdventHealth Training Center in Orlando unless it was necessary.

Black said in Las Vegas that he put on seven to eight pounds of muscle, and its shown when he drives into the paint.

Hes no longer standing in the corner waiting for the ball.

Instead, Black is looking much more like the lottery draft prospect he portrayed in his one year at Arkansas when he averaged 12.8 points and 5.1 rebounds with a freshman school-record 74 steals.

And that type of jump in his sophomore season is what the Magic need after the franchise didnt bring back guard Markelle Fultz in free agency.

Black fits in with the mainstays of Orlandos second unit alongside guard Cole Anthony and big men Jonathan Isaac and Moe Wagner thanks to Blacks versatility on the court and ability to shoot from beyond the arc, something Fultz failed to do consistently.

Through two preseason games, Black is averaging 10 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists in 21 minutes.

Its not just Banchero whos noticed Blacks growth as a young guard.

Hes been playing great, especially more with the ball as a point guard, directing guys, forward Franz Wagner said.

Obviously, it helps knowing the game a little bit having been in those situations last year already.

Im just super impressed with his body obviously, he got stronger in the summer and hes finding more ways to get into the paint and make plays from there, which is what we need, Wagner added.

While Banchero and Wagner witnessed Blacks rookie season firsthand, the Magics top free-agency acquisition Kentavious Caldwell-Pope did not.

Even in two weeks of preseason practice, Black has a made strong impression on the two-time NBA champion, whos played with guards such as Jamal Murray, Alex Caruso and Reggie Jackson throughout his decade-long career.

I like his competitiveness and the way he approaches the game, Caldwell-Pope said of Black.

As that point guard, youve got to be able to run the team, run the show and put people in place, and thats what hes learning now.

Hes getting his teammates in position, making the right reads and he can score the ball, he added.

Caldwell-Pope continues to fit in, communicate with new Magic teammates Magic center Wendell Carter Jr.

continues to make progress after suffering a sprained left ankle in Orlandos preseason opener at New Orleans last week.

Hes doing good, Mosley said about Carter, who added more work to his palette in practice Tuesday.

He was able to go through some live stuff today.

Ultimately, Carters availability for Fridays preseason home game against Philadelphia (7, Bally Sports Florida) will depend on how he continues to respond to medical treatment the next couple of days, Mosley said.

Jason Beede can be reached at [email protected] Up next ...

Magic vs.

Sixers When: 7, Friday, Kia Center TV: Bally Sports Florida.

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