Anthony Black 2023 NBA Draft Profile

The modern NBA is filled with big, creative guards. Enter Anthony Black, the 6-foot-7 point guard taking over the reins at Arkansas this upcoming season. Everything the modern NBA desires, Black possesses.

Black is one of the most talented and skilled guards in the draft, averaging 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4 assists per game leading a stacked Duncanville team to a state championship. If he can continue to translate his game at the collegiate level, he’ll be well on his way to a lottery selection in the 2023 NBA Draft.

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The Good

Offense

Elite passer for his size

Anthony Black with the awesome find to find his future teammate Nick Smith Jr. Both players will be heading to Arkansas next year and will be competing for a national championship. pic.twitter.com/8uXl7t0nFT
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) April 9, 2022

Here’s the aforementioned silly assist from Anthony Black. Dude just knows where to put the ball.

(via @espn)@DuncanvilleBB @AnthonyBlack24_ https://t.co/zl5WK905Zx pic.twitter.com/bjjkzRY9Ax
— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) March 30, 2022

Anthony Black has great positional size for a point guard (6’7”). I’m mostly impressed with his playmaking ability. Has really good court vision, a smart decision-maker, & nice passing skills. Has a really good feel for the game. Shooting consistency is the next step for him. pic.twitter.com/oOJhERwnvR
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) March 28, 2022

playing against Duncanville it truly is pick your poison. Anthony black puts so much pressure on the defense. U don’t want to give up a layup or a dunk but that leaves you vulnerable to the corner 3. nice job by Aric demings making the defense pay. pic.twitter.com/iRKm1HoiMn
— kendall Green (@ontargethoops) March 7, 2022

Great around the rim

Anthony Black, Duncanville earned a W over Sierra Canyon at Thanksgiving Hoopfest. Not Black's best game decision-making or shooting but still flashed obvious upside/pro traits with 6-6 positional size for a ball-handler, passing skill, finishing package/bounce off one foot. pic.twitter.com/3lyhyHQNQh
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) November 29, 2021

5 Star Anthony Black made his return to HS Hoops last night with this NASTY dunk 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SzsO0y9FKc
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 25, 2021

Defense

Active hands and feet on defense

Arkansas freshman guard Anthony Black @AnthonyBlack24_ presents constant pressure as a defender because of his size, length, ability to bend & get wide, footwork, & instincts … this deflection is one example of his pesky defense from U18 FIBA Americas play this wk in Tijuana pic.twitter.com/fvAMtlLYmr
— Kevin McPherson (@ARHoopScoop) June 12, 2022

Anthony Black is going to fit right in with the Arkansas culture with his relentless on ball defense

It's something that doesn't get much attention as it should, Black does a great job at staying in front of his man and walling off the drive, even for someone with low foot speed pic.twitter.com/Hp8EZIJgA6
— NBA Draftcast (@NBADraftcast) May 16, 2022

Great shot blocker for a guard

4:25, Q3 — Defense from Anthony Black on one end, a 3-pointer from Ashton Hardaway on the other. @ash_hardaway has 12 points — all on threes — and @DuncanvilleBB leads 39-19. @AnthonyBlack24_ pic.twitter.com/ikMwrDPTeZ
— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) March 5, 2022

This is awesome pick and roll defense. The ball handler tries to keep him boxed out of the play but Anthony Black gets over the screen & fights thru until he gets back into the play & blocks the shot. Good to know bc he’ll need this in the NBA when he gets there. pic.twitter.com/gNXF2q71I7
— Shervon Fakhimi (@ShervonFakhimi) June 19, 2022

Ok, Anthony Black turns it over right after so that’s not great. BUT, he makes up for it with a chasedown block & an assist right thru a napping defense for an and-1. I love it pic.twitter.com/mzgNj6bBKb
— Shervon Fakhimi (@ShervonFakhimi) June 19, 2022

His good size makes him a good rebounder. He’s also quick to get out in transition on a rebound

Anthony Black is one of those guys that is always around the ball & knows where the ball is supposed to go. Deflections, rebounds, help defense, whatever. This is a good example. Plays good on-ball d again, gets the board & zips a throwahead to get another dunk. pic.twitter.com/vChioT8pHH
— Shervon Fakhimi (@ShervonFakhimi) June 19, 2022

The Bad

Offense

Shooting is a work in progress. He seems uncomfortable with it and while his mechanics have improved, the ball still isn’t going in.
Black doesn’t have a takeover mode in his offensive game. He’s instinctually a good player.

Not much of an off-ball threat, shooting or cutting to the basket.

Defense

Good but not a great athlete. To be determined how he handles guys of a similar size.
He needs to bulk up more to reach his full defensive potential.

Comparisons

Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels both have similar profiles in recent years to Black, and both ended up lottery picks because of it. He’s got an excellent feel for the game and knows how to get to his spots. Adding muscle and improving his jump shot would go a long way to Black realizing his full potential.

Ideal Fits

Black’s fit is tougher to gauge, mainly because so many teams have point guard options at the moment. San Antonio makes a lot of sense for him to take over that lead guard role and work on his shooting. The Washington Wizards and Portland Trail Blazers as late lottery teams also make a ton of sense, as he would provide defense and secondary ball handling next to each team’s star guard.

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Kyle Grondin

Blogger who is a lover of all things basketball! Follow me on Twitter @bykylegrondin, where you can read my complaints about your favorite team.