Former Arkansas star Anthony Black has been busy acclimating to his new life in the NBA this summer in the NBA Summer League with the Orlando Magic. He recently made a clutch play at the end of regulation, tipping a ball in at the buzzer to send the game between the Magic and Knicks to OT. On Saturday evening, he chatted it up with the NBA TV sideline reporter about his relationship with former Arkansas teammate Jordan Walsh and his expectations for his rookie campaign.
Anthony Black on his relationship with Jordan Walsh, expectations for his rookie campaign
How has his first Summer League experience gone so far? “It’s been super fun. Really just coming out here with my team. We’ve known each other for a couple of weeks, so, going out to Vegas and getting to play here has been pretty fun,” Black said.
Has there been anything about the Summer League experience that has surprised him the past few weeks? “Not really. I’ve been here since I was a kid, watching. So, it’s kinda just cool being on the other side now,” the former Hog star smiled.
Anthony Black has a longstanding relationship with Jordan Walsh. They grew up playing basketball together when they were younger, then they played at Arkansas together. What’s their experience been like of playing basketball together for most of their lives? “From playing each other growing up, to playing again on camp teams, then playing again in college. Just having a goal of getting here is pretty cool,” Black said. “Like watching him play right now, just knowing that we’re really here. Just really cool.”
Black comes from a family full of remarkably athletic bloodlines. His father, Terry Black, is in the Baylor Sports Hall of Fame (2015) as a standout for the Bears basketball program. His mother, Jennifer, played soccer at Texas and Baylor. Who’s the best athlete in the family right now? “There is competition. Everybody is gonna say it’s them but you know, I think I gotta step up. At least right now. For sure.”
What are his expectations for his rookie season? “Really, just a lot of growth. We have a lot of good players, so we’ll see how I fit in with the team and what the coaches want me to do. But really, just to grow a lot and win a lot of games.”
During his NBA Summer League debut against the Detroit Pistons, the former Hog standout stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, five assists, five rebounds, and three steals.
It should be exciting to watch his game develop in the future.
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