Black attended Ridgeway High School in Memphis, Tennessee. As a junior in 2008–09, he averaged 15.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game as he helped lead the Roadrunners to a 26–6 record and a District 15-AAA title. As a senior in 2009–10, he averaged 16.3 points and 12.6 rebounds as he helped lead the Roadrunners to a 26–3 record and a second District 15-AAA title.[1]
College career
Memphis (2010–2013)
In his freshman season at Memphis, Black played in all 35 games and made 24 starts, including 18 of the final 19 contests, while averaging 9.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. He was subsequently named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team.[1]
In his sophomore season, Black played in all 35 games and made 31 starts, while averaging 10.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. He also set the Memphis single-season field goal percentage record at 68.9 percent and was named to the All-Conference USA second team, All-Defensive team and All-Tournament team.[1]
Black played in 32 games and made five starts his junior season, averaging 8.1 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20.8 minutes per game. He was named to the Tiger Academic 30 for the 2013 spring semester for having the highest grade-point average on the team.[1]
Kansas (2013–2014)
On May 20, 2013, Black transferred to the University of Kansas after graduating from Memphis with a degree in organizational leadership, and was deemed eligible to play immediately.[2] In his lone season for the Jayhawks, he was named the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year and went on to average 15.0 points per game in the NCAA tournament. His season-high 19 points on 9-of-9 shooting on Senior Night was the best efficiency by a Jayhawk since 1990. In 33 games (15 starts), he averaged 5.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game.[1][3]
Professional career
Houston Rockets (2014)
After going undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft, Black joined the Houston Rockets for the 2014 NBA Summer League.[4] On August 27, 2014, he signed with the Rockets.[5] On December 26, 2014, he was waived by the Rockets after appearing in 25 games.[6]
On June 18, 2019, Black signed a two-year contract extension with Maccabi (with an NBA buy-out option until July 30).[19] He parted ways with the team on May 23, 2020.[20]
On September 27, 2021, Black signed with the Denver Nuggets.[22] Black subsequently joined the Grand Rapids Gold as an affiliate player.[23] In 15 games, he averaged 11.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 blocks per game.[24]
On July 31, 2022, Black signed a one-year deal with Olympiacos of the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague. In 35 EuroLeague matches, he averaged 4.4 points and 1.7 rebounds, playing around 10 minutes per contest. Additionally, in 19 domestic games, he averaged 8.8 points and 4 rebounds, playing around 16 minutes per contest. On July 5, 2023, he was released from the club.