Throughout the first three years of his NBA career, Magic guard Anthony Black has had the chance to meet with fans of all ages at various community events in Orlando.
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Tuesday’s outing, however, was different.
Black was joined for the first time by his younger brother, Beckham Black, a five-star basketball recruit who attends Southeastern Prep Academy in Maitland.
“It’s cool,” Anthony said. “It’s our first time doing something like this, but he’s getting to that age doing his own thing, making his own path, so I think stuff like this is starting to be more normal.”
Added Beckham: “It’s special. He’s been very supportive. He’s kind of taught me a lot of things I know today so I couldn’t thank him enough.”
The two helped kickoff Planet Fitness’ High School Summer Pass program, which allows teens aged 14 to 19 to work out for free at any Planet Fitness location from June 1-Aug. 31.
The event also marked the first time Anthony Black had talked to the media since the Magic fired coach Jamahl Mosley on May 4. Although team president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman had discussed his decision to dismiss Mosley at the time, Magic players themselves did not participate in end-of-season interviews.
Orlando’s season came to a close in the first round of the NBA playoffs for a third consecutive season under Mosley, who was recently hired by the New Orleans Pelicans. The Magic led their first-round series against Detroit 3-1, but lost three games in a row.
“It’s always tough to lose like that and see the results that come with it,” Anthony Black said. “But it was a good year. We got a lot done. For coach Mosley, hopefully he goes to New Orleans and has a lot of success. Hopefully, the dudes buy into him.
“You wish nothing but success for everybody that leaves the team that you’re on,” he added.
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As Black waits to find out who the next coach of the Magic will be, he also enters a crucial offseason of his own. The third-year pro, who averaged career highs of 15 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists during 29.8 minutes per game this season, is eligible to sign a contract extension with only a year remaining on his rookie deal.
The deadline to do so is typically set for the day before the start of the regular season, which is usually late October.
“It’s just an opportunity to officially stamp it as like my home,” Black said about potentially signing an extension with the franchise that drafted him No. 6 overall in 2023. “It’s just something I’ll be looking forward to doing. Starting my young life, this is the first city I’ve played in, so it would mean a lot being able to play here for years.
“Obviously I want to win a lot too and I feel like we’re in a great position to do that and we came really close to doing that,” he added. “So, for me, that would be ideal, but it’s the NBA and it’s always a decision that has to be made.”
He’s not the only one in his family working towards success in the league.
Beckham Black, 17, just wrapped up his junior year of high school and enters the summer as the No. 1 point guard in the 2027 recruiting class, according to 247Sports. Regardless of position, the 6-foot-3 guard is the No. 6 consensus prospect nationally.
As popular as Anthony Black was amongst the high schoolers they spoke with at the event, Beckham Black had his own crowd of young fans, too.
“It’s great considering I’m the same age as some of the people that look at me in a certain way,” the younger brother said. “I’m just blessed to be in this position that I could have a positive impact on some of the kids.”
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Jason Beede can be reached at [email protected]