re: Arkansas Basketball Recruiting Thread *Muss Years Archive - do NOT delete*

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Anthony Black

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Eric Musselman already has a treasure trove of prized prospects headed to Arkansas out of the 2022 class, but he added to it in a big way with the commitment of 6-7 five-star point guard Anthony Black, who announced his pledge to the Hogs over offers from Gonzaga, TCU, Oklahoma State the G League and others.

Black ranks as the No. 14 overall prospect in the nation, the top point guard and the No. 2 player out of the state of Texas, according to 247Sports. He becomes the third five-star addition and third McDonald’s All-American for the Razorbacks in the 2022 class, joining Nick Smith Jr. and Jordan Walsh. In fact, his announcement came at the Powerade Jam Fest as part of the buildup ceremonies to tomorrow night's McDonald's All-American Game in Chicago (Ill.).

The top uncommitted prospect left on the board in the most recent Top247 update, Black took his official visit to Arkansas during “Muss Bus Mania” on September 18 and was on hand for an unofficial to take in the atmosphere of Bud Walton Arena during the “Red Out” game against Tennessee that had several Razorback alumni and former Musselman' players who are currently playing professionally in attendance.

A standout performer for national powerhouse Duncanville (Texas) High School, Black battled through an unforeseen eligibility issue to help lead the Panthers to a 35-1 finish and UIL Class 6A Boys Basketball State Championship.

On the season, Black averaged 13.0 points on better than 58 percent shooting from the field, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game. He was named the District 11-6A Offensive Player of the Year, was a 6A All-Tournament team selection and was named the championship game MVP after scoring 17 points, including a 9-of-11 night from the charity stripe, in Duncanville's win over McKinney.

Below is Black’s most recent player evaluation by 247Sports National Basketball Director, Eric Bossi, who projects him as a future first round NBA Draft pick with a player comparison to Cade Cunningham:

“From a scouting standpoint, Black has been very intriguing since we were first able to see him about two years ago. In early viewings he showed good size, good length and he moved extremely well for a young perimeter player with plus size. Though we didn't initially see him as a point guard, his playmaking instincts and passing ability also stood out along with his ability to push things in transition while having versatility on the defensive end. He lacked strength and the jumper was a question mark, but clearly something was there.

“As time has passed and Black nears the completion of his senior year, he's been able to transition to full time point guard. He makes tremendous reads out of the pick and roll. He has become much more explosive attacking the basket. He rebounds well for the position and when he's locked in Black is capable of effectively defending pretty much any position at the high school level. His jump shot still needs some fine tuning and by getting more reps he'll build more trust in that. However, he's developed floaters, pull-ups and more creative finishes around the basket to help keep defenses on their heels. Yes he still needs more strength, but he's been filling out nicely and should take off in a college weight room.

“While long term the idea is that he continues to develop as a point guard, Black could realistically play any perimeter position and be effective. From day one he can get to the rim, he can get to the free throw line and he can make a team much better at moving the ball. Whether it be college or the G League, he probably shouldn't be expected to be a big time scorer, but he can certainly score and the key is that his presence on the floor will make it easier for his team to score. As he continues to improve his deep jump shooting, those individual scoring numbers could rise quickly.”

In terms of Black’s fit at Arkansas, it is hard to find a flaw. A former dual-sport athlete who was once rated as a three-star wide receiver, Black brings a gifted blend of skill and athleticism to go along with excellent positional size and length.

The Razorbacks have missed the presence of a true distributor at the point guard position this season, and Musselman has had tremendous success with tall, rangy lead guards like Jimmy Whitt and Jalen Tate in the past. As Black adds strength, he slots in nicely as a switchable defender who can facilitate the offense or slide to the wing and make an impact when Smith serves as a primary ball-handler.

Black joins a 2022 class at Arkansas that ranks at the top of the SEC and No. 2 in the nation with a score of 69.69 according to the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings. Other commitments include five-star, No. 6 ranked guard Nick Smith Jr.(North Little Rock, Ark.), five-star, No. 18 ranked Jordan Walsh (Cedar Hill, Texas), four-star, No. 57 ranked combo guard Derrian Ford (Magnolia, Ark.), four-star, No. 85 ranked small forward Barry Dunning (Mobile, Ala.) and four-star, No. 88 ranked small forward Joseph Pinion (Morrilton, Ark.).

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After a full season of speculation, the top undecided prospect in the senior class has made his choice. This evening, while at the Powerade Jam Fest, five-star point guard Anthony Black announced his commitment to Eric Musselman and Arkansas Razorbacks.

"Coach Musselman has a sense of my goals and I feel he is going to help me strive to meet them as quick as I can," Black said about his decision. "I feel Arkansas is the best place I can go to get pushed and tested the most."

A 6-foot-7 jumbo facilitator who thrives in transition, Black chose the Razorbacks over opportunities at Gonzaga, Oklahoma State, TCU, and the NBA G-League. His decision ultimately came down to the Razorbacks and the Zags as Black was in a state of uncertainty because of what both programs brought to the table.

"It was a tough decision because both schools have great coaching staffs," Black said. "Everybody thought I was dragging it out but I was honestly torn between the two programs."

"Ultimately, I knew Coach Musselman is not going to let me slack off," Black continued. "He will demand me to be a lot better and will have no problems getting on to me."

The addition of Black gives Arkansas the No. 1ranked recruiting class in the country. He joins fellow McDonald's All-Americans Nick Smith and Jordan Walsh in addition to Derrian Ford, Barry Dunning, and Joseph Pinion to make up the Razorbacks 2022 recruiting class.

"My expectation is for us to get to work early on," Black said about his future freshmen teammates. "I know we will have to work extremely hard, learn how to play with each other, and see what fits in versus what does not."

The top point guard in the senior class, Black is ranked No. 14 overall in the 247Sports Top 150 Player Rankings.

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One of the class of 2022’s top uncommitted prospects is uncommitted no more, as four-star guard Anthony Black has announced his intention to sign with Arkansas. The Texas-based prospect took hard looks at programs such as Oklahoma State and Gonzaga in addition to the NBA G-League, but will instead ship off to the SEC and join Eric Musselman, who seems to be building a sustainable powerhouse in Fayetteville. Below, Rivals.com has a look at what the Razorbacks are getting in addition to what it means for the big picture.

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WHAT ARKANSAS IS GETTING

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When Black is at his best, he oozes NBA potential because he comes equipped with length, high basketball IQ and the ability to take defenders off the dribble. He rebounds incredibly well for his position and boasts a diverse offensive skill set that allows him to get buckets in a number of different ways. How effective he’ll be at the next level, however, hinges on if he can play full time point guard in addition to how much he develops as a long-range shooter. If Black continues to refine his ball handling, he’ll have no problem running the point, as he already has a knack for making wise decisions with the ball in his hands. His length makes him an incredibly versatile defender, and he’ll get even better on that front as he adds much-needed muscle. Possibly the nicest thing about Black is that he manages to impact games though his motor, defense and rebounding even when he struggles shooting the ball, which happens a bit more than the four-star prospect would like. Black has the skill to be a starter right away but could really find himself and turn into something truly special in year two.

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WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE RAZORBACKS

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Arkansas’ victory here is a story of perseverance, as the Razorbacks seemed to be running in third behind Oklahoma State and Gonzaga before a mid-February campus visit changed everything. It’s also a story about how success compounds in college hoops. Having five-star Nick Smith in the fold certainly didn’t hurt, as the versatile duo will form an incredibly talented and adaptable backcourt. Both can score the ball as well as run the point and will be interchangeable pieces depending on the look head coach Eric Musselman wants to present in any given game. Once seen as a transfer market magician and an expert on international prospects, Musselman has transcended that reputation and is becoming one of the sport’s elite high school recruiters. This cycle has proven his ability to stand toe to toe with almost anyone on the trail, which should excite Razorback fans, as it’s starting to seem like the program’s back-to-back Elite Eight runs may simply be an overture about what’s to come.

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IN HIS WORDS

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“They just put a big guard in the lottery of the draft. They watch my games and then break them down and send it to me. I read it, study it, and then we have a call about it. It just shows how focused they are in recruiting and that I’m a priority.” – Black to Rivals.com in the fall

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