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Jeff Borzello
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ESPN Author- Basketball Recruiting Insider.
- With ESPN since 2014.
- Graduated from the University of Delaware.
Paul Biancardi
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Basketball Recruitment- National Recruitment Director for ESPN.com
- 18 years coaching experience at Division I level
- Former Horizon League Coach of the Year at Wright State
ESPN Author
Basketball RecruitmentThe must-bus is getting fuller and fuller.
Top-20 senior Anthony Black announced his commitment to Arkansas Monday night, giving Eric Musselman and the Razorbacks their third five-star prospect of the class of 2022.
Black picked Arkansas over perceived favorite Gonzaga plus a final list that also included Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU and the G League.
“I believe in Coach Muss and he knows what it takes to make it into the NBA. He trained there and coached players to get there,” Black told ESPN. “He’s super intense and he’s going to push me to do my best, stay on top of myself and do better. He has coached great guards in the past.”
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A versatile 6-foot-7 perimeter player, Black is ranked 20th overall on the ESPN 100 for the 2022 class. He’s the No. 9 small forward in the class but can play both guard spots and is comfortable in multiple positions. Schwarz was one of the breakout players nationwide this past summer, rising from the ranks to the radar of almost every high-major program.
As a senior at Duncanville High, Texas, he won the 6A state championship last season. He only played 15 regular-season games due to transfer regulations, but averaged 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.2 steals.
Black’s positional size, length and basketball acumen are striking. His greatest strength lies in his high gaming ability and his ability to make the game easy for others. He snaps his wrist quickly on passes in tight spaces and knows how to throw the ball away from defense. An effective assist-maker and ball mover, Black hits teammates in the crotch for layups or in her shot pocket for rhythm jumps.
As a defender, Black possesses a long frame with lateral quickness and agile hips that allow him to slide and open up on the ball. He shows excellent anticipation on defense on the help side, positioning himself to take on an attack, score a steal, or switch to the open man. He is dangerous as a defensive rebounder who can bring the ball forward himself in the transition game.
Black is the sixth ESPN 100 nominee in the Class of 2022 in Arkansas, joining five-star Nick Smith (No. 6) and Jordan Walsh (No. 10) and four-star Derrian Ford (No. 70), Barry Dunning (#75) and Joseph Pinion (#89).
It’s a group that was ranked No. 3 in the country prior to Black’s involvement and could push Kentucky to No. 2. Duke is cemented at #1 with its three top 5 prospects.
“I think we can win a lot of games with the upcoming class. All I care about is winning,” Black said. “When you play with Nick Smith here at McDonald’s (All American Game), you can see that he’s a dog. He cares about his business. He takes the game seriously and others on and off the pitch.
“We have a good relationship with Jordan Walsh from Dallas. He also plays very hard. The other guys are also very good. We can push and support each other.”
The Arkansas season ended for the second straight year in the Elite Eight, with the Razorbacks falling to Duke on Saturday. With at least two starters expected back next season, Musselman’s team, along with the incoming recruit class, will be vying to open the preseason at No. 1 on ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25.