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5 2023 NBA Draft prospects to know for the Orlando Magic’s No. 11 pick

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 3, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Anthony Black (0) looks to pass in the first half as San Jose State Spartans guard Omari Moore (10) defends at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Anthony Black (0) looks to pass in the first half as San Jose State Spartans guard Omari Moore (10) defends at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nick Smith Jr., Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas’ Nick Smith Jr. brings the ball down the court during the NCAA men’s basketball tournament first round match-up between Illinois and Arkansas, on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Wells Fargo Arena, in Des Moines, Iowa.0316 Illinos Arkansas 016 Arw /

5 NBA Draft prospects to know for the Orlando Magic’s 11th pick

Anthony Black & Nick Smith Jr., Arkansas

It is really hard to separate the duo of Arkansas guards because their issues and skills are fairly similar. As is the disappointment of their seasons at least in NBA eyes.

Both of these guys could hit. They have NBA-level talent and ability. They have skills that should translate to the NBA. But it is going to take some work to get them to the NBA level they need to be to make good on all that talent.

Anthony Black is probably the most prominent of the two candidates. He averaged 12.8 points per game with 5.1 rebounds per game and 3.9 assists per game. He had shooting splits of 45.3/30.1/70.5.

Those shooting numbers especially are not really exciting for a guard. That does not seem like there is much room for him to improve as a shooter.

The attraction with Black is his defense. He is a determined and strong defender. For now, that is going to be the biggest thing he provides.

Nick Smith Jr. at one time was considered one of the elite scorers in this draft — at least below the top five. But his season was rough all the way around.

He missed nearly two months in December and January with a knee injury and never fully recovered. Before his injury, he averaged 12.8 points per game with shooting splits of 38.9/30.0/84.2. His scoring was raw and his finishing around the basket was a struggle, but there was something there.

After he returned from his injury, he was clearly a step slow. He averaged 12.4 points per game on shooting splits of 37.2/35.3/67.7.

That creates a little more of a muddied picture. How much of his struggles were because of his injury? That is the real question everyone has to ask. How much did that slow him down and prevent him from improving?

That is a tough thing to answer and something Smith will have to prove in his workouts.