When you first see Anthony Black, what catches your eye? Is it his hair that screams personality? Or maybe it’s his towering 6-foot-7 frame making him look more like a forward than the point guard he is. But once you watch him play, it’s his defense that leaves you amazed.

This guy can hold his own against some of the toughest scorers. And while his presence on the court is amazing, to say the least, it’s natural to wonder how much he is earning for all this. With an estimated net worth of $5 million, he is cashing in a good amount. Wanna know his salary? Let’s break it down. 

How much does Anthony Black make?

Currently on his rookie contract with the Orlando Magic, Anthony Black inked a four-year deal worth $32,929,836. This averages out to $8,232,459 million per year. For the 2024-25 season, the point guard is set to earn $7,607,760 in base salary while carrying a cap hit of $7,607,760 and a dead cap value of $7,607,760.

Apart from this guaranteed amount, he must be earning from a growing list of brand endorsements. Even back in his college days, he was pulling in a healthy $306K in NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals. He partnered with companies like NextGenCamps, Bad Boy Mowers, and Conagra Brands.

But what did it take him to reach here today? Looking back, his journey has been as intriguing as his game. Born in Duncanville, Texas, to parents who were both athletes, sports seemed to be in his DNA. His mom, Jennifer, played soccer for the Texas Longhorns and Baylor Bears, while his dad, Terry, played college basketball for Baylor and professionally overseas. 

The 20-year-old even spent some of his early years in Germany, where his dad was playing basketball. However, after his parents split, he moved back to Texas with his mother. In his initial days at Coppell High School, he, being the sports kid, played basketball and football.

But basketball was his true calling. Black transferred to Duncanville High School for his senior year despite eligibility issues limiting him to just 15 games. He still managed to average 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. In no time, college recruiters were lining up for him, and he ultimately chose Arkansas over programs like Gonzaga and Oklahoma State. 

In his freshman season, he averaged 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, earning a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team. The next year, it was no surprise when he declared for the 2023 NBA Draft, where the Orlando Magic selected him with the sixth overall pick.

From the get-go, he made a name for himself in his rookie season. Playing 69 games, he started 33 of them. While his offensive stats weren’t as amazing, 4.6 points, 2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, his defense was on fire. In his season two, he’s already stepped it up, averaging 8.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in just 20 games. But does this secure his position in the team for a third year?

Did the Orlando Magic exercise Anthony Black’s team option?

They did! Per Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel, the Orlando Magic have exercised Anthony Black’s third-year team option, and it’s not hard to see why. Last year, despite being a rookie, Black stepped into a challenging role with confidence, especially when injuries, like Markelle Fultz’s absence, demanded more from him. 

He has surely earned the trust of both his teammates and head coach Jamahl Mosley. What makes him special is that apart from the balling qualities, he remains poised under pressure. And we must tell you it is rare for someone so early in their career. 

Appreciating his talent, Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley had this to say back in 2023, “AB is special when it comes to defense. He’s a kid who wants to take on every challenge. He is not afraid of the moment. He has a great and high basketball IQ so he understands his spacing, where he needs to be positionally.”

He added that the young star does things that he hasn’t seen guys do in a while. Even Black himself understood the importance of his role, saying, “A lot of nights I’m going to be guarding the number one or two option… I definitely take pride in my matchups.” In case you’re doubting if it’s just lip service, his stats say everything. The opponents shoot 46% against him (one of the best marks on the team.)

It just trails Goga Bitadze (42.8 percent), Joe Ingles (44.0 percent), Jalen Suggs (44.1 percent), Gary Harris (44.6 percent) and Jonathan Isaac (44.9 percent). The Magic also had a positive net rating (+3.0) when Black was on the floor last season.

Although his offense still needs work, we did see some decent scores from him this season. Moreover, he is just 20, and every game is a learning experience. As he said, “Definitely starting to feel more comfortable and starting to figure out my spots and stuff like that.” So, just let him be! The team has already placed their trust in him; we are here to watch him grow.