Anthony Black has another statement to make for the Orlando Magic

Who knows what Anthony Black actually saw as the team pushed the ball up the court in a tie game with 2.5 minutes to play in Berlin in January?

The fast break was a bit awkward and slow as Paolo Banchero tried to push the ball ahead. Anthony Black and Desmond Bane were in the same spot as the ball came toward them. Black took it and immediately rocketed toward the paint.

That is when all the Grizzlies began to converge on the space Black was driving toward -- and all the Magic players seemed to clear the stage.

Before anyone truly realized what was happening, Black was in the middle of the paint, finding a gap between the converging defenders, and raised for a thunderous tie-breaking dunk.

Four Grizzlies players jumped, creating one of the enduring images of the Magic's season.

That moment was named the Dunk of the Year by the NBA's social media accounts. It is indeed one of the defining moments of a breakout season for Anthony Black. It was the capper to his season.

Black had a career season last year, averaging 15.0 points per game. That was built on the strength of a strong run in December with the team was racked with injuries. He had a run of 34 games from early December to late February where he averaged 17.4 points per game and shot 35.6 percent from three.

Black's season was strong throughout. Considering the Magic were always missing a starter-level player from 10 games into the season, Black's play was essential to the team finding any kind of success during the season.

It has set Black up to get a massive new contract whether it happens before the extension deadline or next summer. It has made Black a critical player ahead of a critical season. And another breakthrough is needed.

A new attitude

It was clear from the beginning of the season that Anthony Black entered with a new attitude.

He struggled with injuries in his first two years and looked very much like a rookie trying to find his way and figure out his immense talent. But from the beginning of the season, he was aggressive getting downhill.

Working with assistant coach God Shamgod in the summer, Black improved his ball-handling and his ability to get downhill and finish at the rim.

It was not just that -- or the "lay school" as Black still called it in his response to the NBA's video on Instagram. Black was going downhill with force like he was trying to dunk everything.

Black tallied 69 dunks in the 2026 season, according to Basketball-Reference. That was 14 more than he got in the first two seasons.

He was not driving more per game than in previous seasons. But it was clear he was far more aggressive.

Shots found him as he took a career-high 12.1 field goal attempts per game and had a career-high 22.2 percent usage rate. That Magic leaned on him a whole lot more.

After shooting 56.0 percent on 3.2 field goal attempts per game within five feet in the 2025 season, Black shot 62.6 percent on 4.5 field goal attempts per game within five feet in the 2026 season. That was a dramatic change in aggression and efficiency at the rim.

It is clearly seen in his scoring too. It was not just that he averaged a career-high in points per game. He had 19 games of 20 points or more in the 2026 season. He had just nine in his first two seasons.

Black was the sixth pick for a reason. He built his reputation early in his career for his positional versaitility and defense. Offense was still something that was struggling to come.

But now it is something the Magic expect.

It has not made his contract future any easier to predict -- some think Anthony Black will ask for a contract similar to Jalen Suggs' deal, while others expect him to land closer to a deal worth a little more than $20 million per year. But he is vital to the upcoming season.

Black's big role

One way or another, Anthony Black will have a big role to play in the 2027 season.

At the very least, he is the team's Sixth Man -- already among the favorites to win the Sixth Man of the Year Award. That is a critical role in a league that is valuing depth much more in the apron age.

Orlando's bench was rough last year with the injuries. The team had one of the lowest scoring benches in the league. Getting a boost from Black would help the team tremendously keep up offensive pressure.

He may not be lined up to be a starter -- the Magic's starters with Anthony Black in the lineup instead of Jalen Suggs or Franz Wagner was rough -- but he still has a key role to play. And he still has another step to take in his career.

The 2026 season was his breakthrough. It was a proof of concept of what was possible for Black.

The 2027 season needs to be confirmation and expansion. He needs a more consistent outside shot and more consistent aggression. He needs to show his value to a team with championship aspirations.

Black still had his rough spots -- and a late-season abdominal injury affected him greatly in the Playoffs, where he struggled to find his footing. Like all young players, consistency remains the key issue.

But the 2026 season proved what was possible for Black. And the Magic are eager to see him make another breakthrough.

That moment in Berlin was one of many defining moments. But it showed the audaciousness of confidence. Black should have that now. And that will only help him grow.

He has a big role to play for the Magic in whatever they hope to accomplish this season. He is a big part of their potential breakthrough.

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