Entering his third year in the league, Anthony Black believes he feels more comfortable on the court as the Magic wrapped up their second day of training camp Wednesday.

It’s a sense of confidence that should be expected after two seasons that saw the 6-foot-7 appear in 89.6% of available regular season games (147 of 164) while averaging 20.8 minutes per contest for Orlando.

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“I feel like I’ve been here before,” Black said inside the AdventHealth Training Center.

The Magic hope that level of comfort translates to success on the court on both ends of the floor. Orlando wants Black to lean in on his aggressive style of play after he averaged 1.1 steals and nearly a full block (0.6) per night as a sophomore last season.

“When AB is on his game, in my opinion, he’s one of the best guards in this league,” Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. said. “When he’s playing carefree – not saying careless – when he’s just flowing and relying on his strengths, getting downhill, attacking the basket, shooting open threes, not turning them down, AB is a tough guard. He’s tough to guard for anybody. Anyone else would say that on this team, coaching staff included.

“When AB is just playing his game, he’s very hard to guard,” Carter added.

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Tibbetts’ success

Former Magic assistant coach Nate Tibbetts has the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals that start Friday in just his second season as head coach of the club.

Tibbetts worked under Magic coach Jamahl Mosley for two full seasons from 2021-23.

“He has done such a phenomenal job,” Mosley said. “I called him [Monday] and I was just talking about how proud I am of him, but the way he’s doing it, the way he’s changed that environment … The women all talk about the joy that he brings to the game. I love how they defend and they don’t quit. That’s the mark of a great coach.

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“They play so hard for him and for each other,” Mosley added.

The Mercury, who went 27-17 after winning just 19 games during Tibbetts’ first season, face the Las Vegas Aces in the Finals as the franchise searches for its fourth WNBA title and first since 2014.

“Nate is a treasure,” Carter said. “He’s done so much for this team. The biggest thing he brought to this team was just instilling confidence in everyone. Even when you watch the Mercury, everybody plays freely and to their strengths, and then they lock up on the defensive end. So, it’s amazing. I wish him nothing but the best.”

Puerto Rican efforts

Before the Magic travel to Puerto Rico for Saturday’s preseason opener against the Heat, team representatives will make their way to the island for various events in the local area.

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Magic community ambassadors Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw, as well as Magic mascot Stuff, will join Ana G. Mendez University to help unveil a newly refurbished basketball court near San Juan at Villa Nevarez Park on Thursday.

Orlando executives including managing director Ryan DeVos, Magic president of business operations Charlie Freeman, chief sales officer Michael Forde and Anderson will join Heat executives for a Friday morning press conference at Coliseo de Puerto Rico.

That same evening, Anderson and Outlaw will be in attendance for a celebrity game at the arena. Other activities include a “business of basketball happy hour,” with local business leaders, executives and government officials and community basketball clinics featuring Anderson and Outlaw, the team said.

Saturday’s preseason game between the Magic and Heat will tip-off at 8 p.m. on FanDuel Sports Network Florida.

Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com