Nikola Jokic MVP Wisdom to Magic Rookie Anthony Black: Draft 'Doesn't Mean Anything'

If friendships are letters of recommendation, then it's no surprise that Anthony Black, Denver Nuggets' Superstar Nikola Jokic's pal, was selected early in the NBA Draft.

ORLANDO - Point guard Anthony Black was selected by the Orlando Magic as the No. 6 overall pick in the NBA Draft. However, the biggest flex in his arsenal might be the phone call he received from Denver Nuggets multi-time MVP Nikola Jokic before officially being drafted.

"Good luck today on the draft," Jokic said in a video to Black. "But I gotta tell you, that doesn't mean anything. I was 41st pick, and nobody counted me... Just work hard, surround yourself with good people that you trust."

As the expression goes, "Show me your friends, and I'll show you your future." If that statement holds true, then someday, Black might become an MVP himself, so long as he follows the example set by Jokic, who is quite the point guard in his own right after averaging 9.8 assists this past season.

The inspiring words from the reigning finals MVP are ones that should be easy to follow, considering that former teammate Jett Howard will be with Black in Orlando. The 'Jett Black' duo formed a bond when they won the Allen Iverson Classic as highly touted high school stars.

Howard and Black are joining the Magic's young core, which includes 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero (20) and rising star Franz Wagner (21), as they hope to lead Orlando to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, back before any of them were drafted.

Black's first chance at tasting success and making the Joker look like a fortune teller will come with the Magic on July 8 in Las Vegas during the NBA Summer League.

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