Jumbo Playmakers Paving the Way for Arkansas’ Anthony Black

Josh Giddey, Scottie Barnes, Jeremy Sochan and more are paving the way for prospect Anthony Black in the 2023 NBA Draft.

On Wednesday night, 20-year-old Aussie and Thunder guard Josh Giddey wowed with a 31-point, 10-assists and 9-rebound performance in a nail-biting win over the Pelicans to keep Oklahoma City’s Playoffs hopes alive.

It was a trailblazing performance for the 6-foot-9 guard, who has been one of the catalysts for his archetype in his short time in the league.

Arkansas guard Anthony Black is the next in line of jumbo, do-it-all guards, and performances like Giddey’s and more could just be raising his 2023 NBA Draft stock in the process.

At 6-foot-7 with premier passing and playmaking ability, as well as point-of-attack defense, Black wowed in his lone season with the Razorbacks, earning 2023 Draft Lottery buzz in the process.

On Wednesday, Black announced his decision to enter the 2023 NBA Draft on ESPN’s “NBA Today.” On the very same show, Black was asked who he’s watched film on or is anticipating watching in the postseason:

“I like to watch a lot of Josh Giddey, he’s a tall playmaker, kind of similar. I watch a lot of Shai, too. So a lot of Thunder games.”

Anthony Black declares for the draft and names both Giddey and Shai as his favorite players to watch. The @AndrewKSchlecht agenda has never been stronger. pic.twitter.com/JJaI2T5T7N

— Matt Gerardi (@Gerardi) April 12, 2023

Outside of the Thunder project, more and more players of this mold are entering the league: Scottie Barnes in Giddey’s same draft class, Jeremy Sochan just last draft and the jumbo forwards out in Orlando in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

Black has a wide range in the 2023, but the recent success of his archetypal predecessors could get his name called even earlier on draft night.

The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery is on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.