5. Anthony Black, Arkansas
With Nick Smith Jr. sidelined for a good portion of the season due to injury, Anthony Black is a player that helped carry the load for Arkansas during his absence. And Black has proven that he’s also a player that should be taken in the lottery. Black, a fellow freshman, is averaging 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game on 47 percent shooting from the field.
One thing to keep an eye on when watching Black heading into the big games in March is the fact that he’s more polished on the defensive end of the floor than he is on the offensive end of the floor. And that is something that many scouts around the league will love about him.
Any team that drafts him this year won’t have to beg him to play with effort on the defensive end of the floor. In fact, they may have to ask him to be a bit more aggressive offensively. But the effort will be there all around for Black.