Draft

Dan Savage

Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman and Head Coach Jamahl Mosley introduce 2023 NBA Draft picks Anthony Black and Jett Howard to the media.

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Orlando Magic's 2023 Post-Draft Press Conference

ORLANDO –&nbsp;As the Orlando Magic have constructed their young core, they’ve steadily added players with certain attributes in mind.&nbsp;

Without a shadow of a doubt, high IQ, defensive versatility, unselfishness, and athleticism have been at the forefront of those characteristics.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the Orlando Magic added two players who fit that mold when they selected University of Arkansas guard Anthony Black with the No. 6 overall pick and University of Michigan wing Jett Howard with the 11th&nbsp;overall selection in the 2023 NBA Draft.&nbsp;

The 6-foot-7, 200-pound Black averaged 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.6 blocks in 36 games – all starts – for the Razorbacks. He shot 45.3 percent from the floor, 30.1 percent from 3-point range, and 70.5 percent from the free throw line.&nbsp;

“We approached this draft wanting to add IQ, defensive versatility, size, team orientation, and Anthony is one of the smartest players in the draft – maybe the smartest,” said Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman. “We feel like he has an elite level understanding of the game. He’s a multi-positional defender at a very high level.” &nbsp;

Known for his terrific passing, strong on-ball defense, and versatility, Black should fit right in alongside Orlando’s young core.&nbsp;

“I think playing with good players like (Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner) will make it a little easier on me and them because I can help them get buckets and they can take some of it off me at the same time,” Black explained. “It's always fun playing with good players whenever you're a playmaking guard.”&nbsp;

At 6-foot-8, 215 pounds, Howard is a versatile wing who is capable of spacing the floor at a high level. He played and started in 29 games last season as a freshman at the University of Michigan, averaging 14.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 31.7 minutes per game, while shooting 36.8 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line. 

“Jett is not just a shooter,” Weltman explained. “Jett is skilled, he (has a great) IQ, and he’s got good size. But the hidden thing about Jett is that he played most of the season injured. And we believe that there’s more to Jett than he was able to show.”&nbsp;

Along with his shooting and IQ, Howard also has great footwork, is an above average passer, and has the potential to be a solid two-way player.

&nbsp;“Honestly, I feel like I'll fit in like a glove with my ability to space the floor and make open shots,” said Howard. “I've always been able to play with good other players throughout high school and college, so I think I'll fit in really well with them.”

Orlando is coming off a season in which they improved by 12 victories over their prior campaign – the biggest jump in the Eastern Conference – and have plenty of cap flexibility to potentially add pieces through free agency.

With players such as Markelle Fultz, Wendell Carter Jr., Gary Harris, Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, along with the aforementioned Rookie of the Year Banchero and second-year standout Wagner heavily contributing to that jump, Black and Howard will both have to earn their way into the rotation.&nbsp;

“You talk about competitors; guys that want to compete night in and night out,” said Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley. “These are two young men that are very capable of that. Two great character kids that can step in right away into this group and add value on and off the court. They’re going raise the level up a ton.” 

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Jeff Weltman and Jamahl Mosley on Selecting Anthony Black and Jett Howard

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Orlando Magic Add Two More Players with High IQ, Versatility and Athleticism by Selecting Anthony Black and Jett Howard in 2023 NBA Draft

Official Release

ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic have selected guard&nbsp;Anthony Black&nbsp;in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2023 NBA Draft.

Black (6’7”, 200, 1/20/04) played and started in all 36 games last season as a freshman at the University of Arkansas, averaging 12.8 ppg., 5.1 rpg., 3.9 apg. and 2.06 stlpg. in 34.8 minpg. He was named to the 2022-23 All-SEC Second Team (coaches), as well as the 2022-23 All-SEC Freshman Team. Black led the Razorbacks and SEC in minutes played, while setting Arkansas freshman records in games played, games started, minutes played (1,253), steals (74) and free throw attempts (190). He was the only player in the SEC to rank in the top 25 in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocked shots.

Black graduated from Duncanville High School in Duncanville, TX. As a senior (2021-22), he was named a McDonald’s All-American and played in the Iverson Classic. Black led Duncanville to the 2022 Texas 6A state championship and was named the Texas 6A State Tournament MVP. He was also a highly-regarded recruit as a wide receiver, receiving offers from Arkansas, Baylor and Texas among others.

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Anthony Black on Being Selected by the Magic

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Orlando Magic Select Anthony Black Sixth Overall in 2023 NBA Draft

ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic have selected guard-forward&nbsp;Jett Howard&nbsp;in the first round (11th overall) of the 2023 NBA Draft.

Howard (6’8”, 215, 9/14/03) played and started in 29 games last season as a freshman at the University of Michigan, averaging 14.2 ppg., 2.8 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 31.7 minpg., while shooting .368 (78-212) from three-point range and .800 (60-75) from the free throw line. He was named to the 2022-23 All-Big Ten Third Team (media), as well as the 2022-23 All-Big Ten Freshman Team. Howard led the Wolverines in three-pointers made. He scored in double figures 23 times, 20+ points four times and 30+ points once, including a career-high 34 points on Jan. 12 @ Iowa.

Howard attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL for his final two years of high school. He played in both the 2022 Jordan Brand Classic and the 2022 Iverson Classic. Howard was named Most Valuable Player of the Iverson Classic, scoring 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field. He is the son of Jenine and Juwan Howard. Howard was a member of the famed “Fab 5” at Michigan, played 19 years in the NBA and served as an assistant coach for Miami for six years. He played one season (2003-04) with Orlando.

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Jett Howard on Being Selected by the Magic

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Orlando Magic Select Jett Howard 11th Overall in 2023 NBA Draft

Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman and Head Coach Jamahl Mosley spoke to the media about selecting Anthony Black and Jett Howard in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

Anthony Black spoke about being selected by the Orlando Magic with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Jett Howard spoke about being selected by the Orlando Magic with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Josh Cohen

2023 NBA Draft prospect Sidy Cissoko from the G League Ignite spoke to the media at the draft combine in Chicago.

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2023 NBA Draft Combine: Sidy Cissoko

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