It was a successful 2023 NBA Draft for the Orlando Magic, who made two selections (both in the top 15) on Thursday night.
Anthony Black
With the sixth overall pick, Orlando selected Anthony Black out of Arkansas. Black is a 6’7” playmaker with good feel and versatile defense. In 36 games last season, Black averaged 12.8 PPG while shooting 30.1% from three-point range.
Black has a similar play-style to Lonzo Ball. He is an elite passer with great vision, and a lockdown defender.
Simply put, Anthony Black is the best perimeter defender in the draft and has huge upside. He might not be flashy, but he is a team player that will get the Magic to the playoffs in the near future.
Anthony Black is tied for the 2nd highest NBA Draft pick among Razorbacks since 1950 trailing only Sidney Moncrief – who was drafted 5th overall in 1979. pic.twitter.com/jBQnzXMNeI
— Brandon Baker (@BBakerHogs) June 23, 2023
Magic fans. This is all u need to see. Watch and enjoy ur future all star
pic.twitter.com/Aj9ZGHnhWh— Anthony Black’s Burner (@xanthonyblack) June 23, 2023
Jett Howard
With the 11th overall pick, the Magic selected Jett Howard out of Michigan. Jett is the son of Juwan Howard, a two-time NBA Champion and head coach of the Wolverines.
Jett averaged 14.2 PPG last season in 29 games. The 6’8″ guard played much of the season hampered by an ankle injury, so Orlando believes he’s got more to show than what the stats show. The 19-year-old is now the fourth Michigan player in Orlando, joining Franz Wagner, Mo Wagner, and Caleb Houstan.
Jett Howard won a state title at NSU University School (FL.) in 2019. Who else was on the same team? UCF’s Taylor Hendricks who was drafted by the Utah Jazz with the ninth overall pick.
Juwan Howard to ESPN on the advice he'll give his son, Jett Howard, the No. 11 overall pick to the Orlando Magic: “Well, first I want to say, just keep God first. Continue to put in the work, be humble with the process and be a sponge and listen."
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) June 23, 2023