"Everybody is forced to step up": Anthony Black on stepping up without Paolo Banchero, and developing under coach Jamahl Mosley (Exclusive)
The Orlando Magic have surprised the league to start the season, driven by a top-three defense and a young core eager to prove itself. Without Paolo Banchero, who remains sidelined due to a torn oblique, this young group is attempting to stay afloat, sitting at 5-6. Among the players stepping up, second-year guard Anthony Black has emerged as one of the most vital pieces in Orlando’s early success.
Black is doing more than just improving numbers, averaging 8.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 24.8 minutes per game. He’s showing up in ways that don’t always make the box score but are making a difference for a Magic team focused on becoming a two-way threat. From intelligent decisions on offense to a defensive intensity that has Orlando sitting among the league’s elite, Black is embracing an expanded role—and he’s becoming a foundational piece for this team in the process.
Black’s Growth as a Playmaker
With Banchero out, the Magic’s staff has put more responsibility on Black’s shoulders, especially in the second half of games, where he's averaging 5.7 of his points this season. He’s shown real progress in controlling the tempo and reading defenses, resulting in better shots for himself and his teammates.
“For sure, you know, we're missing a lot of points,” Black told Sportskeeda. “Everybody is forced to step up and make plays.”
One of the best markers of Black’s improvement is his increased volume and efficiency on drives. He’s now getting to the rim 5.8 times per game—a big jump from his rookie season—and shooting 44.1% on those drives. There is still significant room for growth, but he's already made strides at this level.
“Just getting back to playing downhill, being aggressive off the dribble, and just making plays from the paint, I think, is what I’m known to do,” Black explained to Sportskeeda, summing up the evolution of his offensive game.
Head coach Jamahl Mosley has noticed Black’s maturity and poise. As the team continues to lean on him to initiate the offense while taking care of the ball and getting the group organized, Mosley’s trust in Black is evident, giving him the green light to direct the offense and run the break, even if it comes with a few bumps along the way.
“He’s stepping into a role as a table-setter with poise, pushing the break, and making smart decisions,” Mosley said. “His defensive abilities are also unique, which we’ll rely on more as he continues to grow in his role.” way.
Black’s Defensive Energy Sets the Tone
While Black’s offensive contributions are critical, it’s his defense that’s setting him apart. Orlando currently boasts the league’s third-best defensive rating at 106.8, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder. And Black’s role in achieving that number is hard to overstate. His work on the perimeter has been disruptive, and his partnership with Jalen Suggs is becoming one of the league's most effective, high-energy backcourts.
Black and Suggs bring relentless pressure, making life miserable for opposing guards and often keeping teams out of their offensive flow. Their ability to speed up the backcourt and set a physical tone has made Orlando’s defense a force to be reckoned with.
“Just guards that are willing to pressure the ball and a frontcourt that’s protecting the rim and rebounding well,” Black stated to Sportskeeda.
Suggs, who’s seen Black’s evolution up close, recently praised his teammate’s dedication, even going as far as to say seeing the reward that Black has experienced for this work "nearly brought me to tears."
“He’s been here all summer. He’s worked his tail off. He hasn’t complained. All he’s done is prepare himself for a moment’s call," Suggs detailed. "Today was his moment.”
It’s not just Suggs who’s noticing, either—Jonathan Isaac, one of Orlando’s defensive anchors, has also been impressed.
“He’s continuing to get better, learning as a young guard to keep his head and just keep attacking, and he’s done that,” Isaac said.
Balancing Playmaking with Scoring
A central part of Black’s development has been learning when to push his offense and when to create for others. He’s getting more comfortable adjusting his pace, especially in transition, where he can use his size and court vision to make plays.
“He just tells me that he trusts me and puts me in a position to make plays, so then the rest of that is up to me,” Black told Sportskeeda about Mosley’s guidance.
Black also sees the value of Orlando’s depth, noting how the team’s unpredictability keeps opponents guessing. This flexibility makes Orlando harder to defend and allows Black to play off teammates in multiple ways.
“Just the fact that it could be somebody different every game,” he explained to Sportskeeda. “It makes it harder to game plan for us, having guys who can go get it by themselves or make plays for each other. It could be a different guy every night, or it could be everybody one night.”
A Bright Road Ahead
For Black, the journey is just getting started. His next steps are clear: he’ll focus on finishing at the rim, developing a more consistent outside shot, and doing what's necessary to improve daily. With Orlando investing in their young core, the team is reaping the rewards, and Black’s progression is already paying dividends.
Orlando’s defensive grit and a maturing offense have the team off to a strong start. And Black’s role in all of it is central. With each game, he’s showing he’s more than just a promising young player; he’s a foundational piece of a team looking to establish itself in the Eastern Conference.
For Orlando, that’s a big reason to be excited, and for Black, it’s a testament to his hard work and adaptability. His continued growth will be crucial, and if the early results indicate, he’s well on his way to making a lasting impact in Orlando.