Orlando Magic Rookie Jett Howard Says Anthony Black 'Brings A Level Of Comfort'

The Orlando Magic's rookie guards have built a strong bond in their short time together.

ORLANDO - Jett Howard doesn't have to look far to find someone walking in the same shoes as him. 

The rookie guard out of Michigan has fellow rookie guard, Anthony Black, to lean on and while they've only been on the same team since June 22, they've quickly built a strong bond. 

Black, who spent his college career at Arkansas, was taken with the sixth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. Howard was taken five picks later at No. 11. 

"To have someone that's going through the exact same scenario that you are, it brings a level of comfort," Howard said on Tuesday after Orlando's first preseason game. "Someone to lean on and we stay in the same building so it's pretty cool to have somebody there - it's like a brother. We have that connection. It's definitely an advantage."

Jett Howard (13) driving to the basket / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Black and Howard saw their first NBA action on Tuesday in Orlando's preseason opener when they beat the New Orleans Pelicans 122-105 at the Smoothie King Center. Howard, who saw most of his playing time in the fourth quarter, played 15 minutes, scoring eight points, including two 3-pointers and he had a block. 

"We had good chemistry out there for our second-unit guys," Howard said. "We were up pretty much the whole game past the second half. We got in a good groove."

Black played 18 minutes, the majority of which came in the first half. He had two points, two assists, a block and two turnovers.  

Time will only tell the impact that the two rookies will have for the Magic this season. With Orlando having as much depth as they've had in years and players like Jonathan Isaac who can make an impact if he stays healthy, playing time could be hard to come by. But Howard and Black can live up to their potential, they could prove to be key pieces as the Magic look to make a playoff push.