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Aaron Black (basketball)

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Aaron Black
No. 1 – Meralco Bolts
PositionPoint guard / shooting guard
LeaguePBA
Personal information
Born (1996-12-03) December 3, 1996 (age 27)
Philippines
NationalityFilipino / American
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High schoolAteneo (Quezon City)
CollegeAteneo
PBA draft2019: 2nd round, 18th overall[a]
Selected by the Meralco Bolts
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019Quezon City Capitals
2019–2020Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines
2020–presentMeralco Bolts
Career highlights and awards

Norman Aaron Black (born December 3, 1996) is a Filipino-American professional basketball player for the Meralco Bolts of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He won the PBA Outstanding Rookie award in 2021. He is the son of former PBA Best Import Norman Black, who is also the former head coach of Meralco.

College career

[edit]

After playing in high school for the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, Black committed to the senior team of Ateneo.[1] He didn't play that season as he was a team captain for the Philippine team in the 2014 FIBA Asia U-18 Championship.[2]

He made his college debut the next season, scoring 11 points in a win over the Adamson Soaring Falcons.[3] He scored 13 points in 13 minutes to extend Ateneo's win streak to five against the De La Salle Green Archers.[4] His team lost in the semis that season to the FEU Tamaraws.[5]

With Season 78 MVP Kiefer Ravena graduating, Black transitioned from role player to one of the Eagles' top players.[6] In their first game of Season 79, he had a game-high 23 points and a win against the UST Growling Tigers.[7] In a game against FEU, he injured his left foot, causing him to sit out for three weeks.[8] He returned in a win against the UE Red Warriors.[8] He scored 16 points to help Ateneo prevent La Salle from sweeping the elimination round.[9] For that performance, he was named Player of the Week.[10] They lost in the Finals to La Salle.[11]

In Seasons 80 and 81, Black saw his stats dip under Coach Tab Baldwin, but was still a reliable contributor as Ateneo won back-to-back titles.[12] He forwent his final playing year.[12]

Professional career

[edit]

Quezon City Capitals (2019)

[edit]

After playing for Ateneo, he next played for the Quezon City Capitals in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. He tallied 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists for a triple-double in a win against the Binan City Laguna Heroes.[13] Black averaged 11.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in the 14 games that he played for Quezon City.[14]

AMA Online Education Titans (2019)

[edit]

In 2019, Black played for the AMA Online Education Titans in the semi-professional PBA D-League Foundation Cup.[15] He had 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists in his debut.[16] In their first win, he registered 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 14 assists, becoming only the third player in that league's history to rack up multiple triple-doubles after Mike Tolomia (twice) and Jeron Teng (thrice).[17] He cooled down slightly as AMA lost to Marinerong Pilipino, with only 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists.[18] He had another triple-double with 45 points, 18 assists, and 12 rebounds as AMA qualified for the quarterfinals.[19] He closed his D-League stint with 22 points as Marinerong Pilipino eliminated them.[20]

Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines (2019–2020)

[edit]

Black was traded to the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines[21][14] where he became teammates with future Meralco teammate Alvin Pasaol.[22]

Meralco Bolts (2020–present)

[edit]

2020 season: Rookie season

[edit]

In the 2019 PBA Draft, Black was drafted 18th overall by the Meralco Bolts, who are coached by his father, Norman Black.[23] He became only the third PBA player to be coached by his father as a head coach after Dodot Jaworski with Robert Jaworski and Marc Agustin with Ato Agustin.[24] In the Bolts' first win, he produced 8 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists, which was better than his losing debut of 6 points, 3 assists, and 2 turnovers.[25] He contributed 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal in an overtime win against the Magnolia Hotshots. He copped a Rookie of the Week honor as Meralco started the year 3–1.[26] They finished 7–4, qualifying for the playoffs as a 5th seed and playing against the San Miguel Beermen.[27] In Game 1, he dropped 11 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter as Meralco defeated San Miguel, 78–71, and forced a rubber match for a semis seat.[28] This performance gave him another Rookie of the Week award. They clinched a spot in the semifinals with a dominating 90–68 win.[29] In the semis, they lost in 5 games to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, with Scottie Thompson preventing Meralco from going to the Finals.[29] He finished the season by winning the Rookie of the Year Award, becoming the lowest draft pick to do so.[30] He was also named to the All-Rookie Team.[31]

2021 season: First Finals appearance

[edit]

In a 2021 Philippine Cup win against the Beermen, Black scored 14 points.[32] He injured his hand during a game against the Terrafirma Dyip.[33] He was cleared to return nearly a month later during the playoffs.[34] Meralco got to the semifinals in that conference, where they were eliminated by Magnolia.[35] In a 2021 Governors' Cup win over the NLEX Road Warriors, he scored 19 points.[36] They faced Magnolia once again in the semis where in Game 1, he had 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists to contribute in the win.[37] In Game 5, he stepped up for the injured Chris Banchero with 16 points as they got past Magnolia and reached the Finals against Ginebra.[38] In his Finals debut, he scored 12 points as Meralco won first.[39] He then followed it up with 24 points, but Ginebra took the win to even the series 1–1.[40] In Game 5, he got a season-high 25 points, but Ginebra won that game and the next, making them the Governors' Cup champions.[41][42]

2022–23 season

[edit]

On May 24, 2022, Black signed a two-year extension with the team.[43] To start the 2022–23 season, he scored 19 points in a win over the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.[44] He then followed it up by tying his career-high of 25 points in a win over the Converge FiberXers.[45] He missed the next game due to a wrist sprain.[46] Against the NorthPort Batang Pier, he made his return and put up 20 points, five rebounds, and seven assists to lead Meralco to the win.[47] In a win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, he scored 20 points including a clutch triple with 35.6 seconds left.[48] They ended the 2022 Philippine Cup with a record of 7–4, good for the fifth seed.[49] In Game 1 of their quarterfinals series against Ginebra, he led the way with 25 points as they won.[50] With a win the following game, Meralco was finally able to get past Ginebra in a series.[51] In Game 4 of their semis against the Beermen, he led with 21 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists to tie the series.[52] Then in Game 6, he scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and also grabbed five rebounds and six assists to force a do-or-die game.[53] However, they lost Game 7, and were eliminated from title contention.[54]

Meralco then started the Commissioner's Cup with back-to-back losses, but finally got their first win of the conference against Terrafirma in which he had 17 points.[55] In a game against Rain or Shine, Black was accidentally elbowed in the nose by Rey Nambatac and had to be taken to the hospital.[56] In a win over the TNT Tropang Giga, he had a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds, along with six assists, a steal, and a block.[57] Meralco didn't qualify for the playoffs that conference.[58]

Black missed some games during the Governors' Cup due to a knee injury.[59] In a win over the Blackwater Bossing, he contributed 19 points, three rebounds, and seven assists.[60] He then had 21 points and eight rebounds in a loss to TNT.[61] In a win over Converge, he had 26 points alongside eight boards and five assists.[62] During the PBA All-Star Week, he participated in the Three-Point shootout and the Greats vs Stalwarts game.[63][64] In the quarterfinals against Magnolia, he scored 16 points, and made a buzzer-beating shot that sent the game into overtime, where Meralco was able to pull out the 113–107 win.[65] In Game 2 of their semis against TNT, he led Meralco to the win with career-highs of 28 points and 10 assists.[66] TNT eventually eliminated Meralco in that series.[67]

PBA career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

As of the end of 2023–24 season[68]

Season-by-season averages

[edit]
Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020 Meralco 18 17.8 .389 .347 .692 3.7 1.7 .3 — 6.6
2021 Meralco 31 23.7 .398 .271 .641 3.5 2.1 .4 .2 8.5
2022–23 Meralco 47 33.3 .430 .369 .660 5.7 4.4 .4 .2 14.6
2023–24 Meralco 19 26.4 .360 .397 .667 5.3 3.2 .8 .2 9.6
Career 115 27.1 .408 .345 .659 4.7 3.2 .5 .2 10.9

National team career

[edit]

Black was a team captain for the Philippine team in the 2014 FIBA Asia U-18 Championship.[2] He also played for Mighty Sports in the 2019 William Jones Cup.[69] In 2023, he was part of the training pool for that year's SEA Games.[70]

Personal life

[edit]

Black's father Norman is also a former coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.[24] His older sister Dominique is a lawyer who works for a Canadian company in London. He has a girlfriend, Alexandrea Enciso.[71][72]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The 2019 draft was composed of two drafts: the Gilas special draft, which consists of 5 players reserved for the Gilas Pilipinas program, and the regular draft. Black was selected as the eighteenth pick of the regular draft.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Terrado, Reuben (March 12, 2014). "Aaron Black still blue: Norman's son commits to Ateneo after stellar junior career with Eaglets". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Terrado, Reuben (July 1, 2014). "Aaron Black not included in Ateneo roster for Season 77". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  3. ^ "Fiery Ateneo debut just the first step as Aaron Black tries to live up to proud name". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  4. ^ Terrado, Reuben (November 9, 2015). "Unsung heroes Adrian Wong, Aaron Black give Blue Eagles depth ahead of playoffs". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  5. ^ Bracher, Jane (November 21, 2015). "Belo buzzer-beater pushes FEU past Ateneo into UAAP Finals". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  6. ^ Terrado, Reuben. "Kiefer lessons come in handy as Aaron Black makes transition from role player to go-to guy". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  7. ^ Terrado, Reuben (September 4, 2016). "Thirdy Ravena, Aaron Black form deadly one-two punch for Ateneo in win over UST Tigers". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Terrado, Reuben (October 20, 2016). "Ateneo guard Aaron Black vows to get back in top shape soon as Final Four race heats up". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  9. ^ Terrado, Reuben (November 5, 2016). "Ateneo shatters La Salle cloak of invincibility, spoils Archers sweep bid with famous upset". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  10. ^ Terrado, Reuben. "Aaron Black earns UAAP Player of the Week nod in leading Ateneo's masterful win vs La Salle". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  11. ^ Marquez, CJ. "La Salle sweeps Ateneo to capture UAAP Season 79 men's basketball crown". cnn. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Leongson, Randolph B. (January 30, 2019). "Aaron Black eager to spread his wings after leaving Eagles' nest". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  13. ^ Li, Matthew (June 26, 2019). "QC's Aaron Black, Gen San's Mikey Williams shine despite Navotas-Rizal game halted". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  14. ^ a b Li, Matthew (October 7, 2019). "Zamboanga gets Aaron Black for Costelo, Fajarito". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  15. ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (July 24, 2019). "Paras, Black team up at AMA as Jonas Villanueva makes D-League coaching debut". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on May 9, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  16. ^ Bacnis, Justine (July 25, 2019). "Asia's Lashes weathers Aaron Black's triple-double outing for first win". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  17. ^ "Aaron Black tallies second triple-double as AMA spoils Jonas Villanueva's coaching debut". Tiebreaker Times. August 1, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  18. ^ "Jhonard Clarito shines anew as Marinerong Pilipino turns back AMA". Tiebreaker Times. August 8, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  19. ^ "Aaron Black posts crazy 45–18–12 line, punches AMA's QF ticket". Tiebreaker Times. September 5, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  20. ^ "Poligrates stars anew as Marinerong Pilipino eliminates AMA". Tiebreaker Times. September 12, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  21. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (October 7, 2019). "QC Capitals give up standout Aaron Black for two Zamboanga role players". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  22. ^ Gonzales, Iggy (February 29, 2020). "ASISTIO AND BLACK BRINGING THE ONE BIG FIGHT IN ZAMBOANGA". pinoyliga.com. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  23. ^ "Playing for dad 'different,' 'familiar' for Aaron Black". Rappler. October 3, 2020.
  24. ^ a b Henson, Joaquin (April 20, 2022). "Coach's son a finals revelation". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  25. ^ Bacnis, Justine (October 14, 2020). "Norman Black proud of son Aaron's solid outing vs Alaska". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  26. ^ "Paul Lee's heater leads to PBA Bubble Player of the Week honor". Tiebreaker Times. November 10, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  27. ^ Reyes, Kate (November 12, 2020). "Bolts reflect on the tough love, bond built by coach Norman Black". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  28. ^ "Aaron Black makes dad Norman proud". www.pba.ph.
  29. ^ a b Terrado, Reuben (December 30, 2020). "PBA yearender: Meralco Bolts savor best all-Filipino showing ever". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  30. ^ Dioquino, Delfin (January 17, 2021). "Aaron Black claims Outstanding Rookie plum". Rappler. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021.
  31. ^ Bacnis, Justine (March 7, 2021). "Aaron Black leads PBA All-Rookie team". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  32. ^ Bacnis, Justine (July 18, 2021). "Meralco blemishes Fajardo return, Perez debut to open PBA campaign". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  33. ^ Bacnis, Justine (September 16, 2021). "Aaron Black did not suffer any fracture, says Norman". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  34. ^ "Aaron Black cleared to return, but Maliksi diagnosed with fractured cheekbone". Spin.ph. October 14, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  35. ^ Lozada, Bong (October 15, 2021). "Magnolia returns to PBA PH Cup finals, ousts Meralco". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  36. ^ Bacnis, Justine (February 11, 2022). "PBA: Bishop-powered Meralco goes to 3-0, weathers McDaniels' 41-point game". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  37. ^ Bacnis, Justine (March 25, 2022). "PBA: Bishop atones for poor Game One as Meralco levels series vs Magnolia". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  38. ^ Bacnis, Justine (April 1, 2022). "PBA: Meralco eliminates Magnolia, sets up Ginebra tetralogy". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  39. ^ Bacnis, Justine (April 7, 2022). "Aaron Black shakes off Finals jitters with opening basket". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  40. ^ Bacnis, Justine (April 9, 2022). "Tim Cone says Aaron Black playing at an 'all-star' level but dad Norman says not yet". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  41. ^ Bacnis, Justine (April 17, 2022). "PBA: Standhardinger, Thompson provide endgame push as Ginebra on verge of Govs' Cup". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  42. ^ Bacnis, Justine (April 22, 2022). "PBA: Ginebra vanquishes Meralco anew, retains Govs' Cup crown". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  43. ^ Ramos, Gerry (May 24, 2022). "No sophomore jinx as Aaron Black rewarded with two-year extension". Spin.ph. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  44. ^ Bacnis, Justine (June 11, 2022). "PBA: Hugnatan powers comeback vs Phoenix as Meralco scores debut win". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  45. ^ Bacnis, Justine (June 16, 2022). "PBA: Aaron Black ties career-high as Meralco deals Converge worst loss yet". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  46. ^ Ramos, Gerry (June 18, 2022). "Aaron Black sits out game after career night. Why?". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  47. ^ Panerio, Jonas N. (June 23, 2022). "Meralco thumps NorthPort to move up to second in PBA Philippine Cup". SunStar Publishing Inc. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  48. ^ Bacnis, Justine (July 6, 2022). "PBA: Aaron Black nails dagger vs ROS as Meralco snaps two-game skid". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  49. ^ Valencia, Justin (July 21, 2022). "PBA: Meralco ends elims on right note, sends Terrafirma home winless". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  50. ^ Gloria, Gio (July 25, 2022). "This week in Philippine basketball: Aaron Black has put the Meralco Bolts in the driver's seat against a familiar and formidable foe in Barangay Ginebra". BALLERS.PH. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  51. ^ Bacnis, Justine (July 31, 2022). "PBA: Meralco ends years of heartbreak vs Ginebra, books date with SMB". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  52. ^ Bacnis, Justine (August 10, 2022). "PBA: Meralco jumps on SMB early, evens series". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  53. ^ Bacnis, Justine (August 14, 2022). "Game 6 Aaron: Young Black makes dad proud with takeover performance". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  54. ^ Bacnis, Justine (August 17, 2022). "PBA: Fajardo, Perez dominate Meralco, power San Miguel to Finals". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  55. ^ Bacnis, Justine (October 7, 2022). "PBA: Quinto sparks Meralco's breakaway, deals Terrafirma 20th straight loss". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  56. ^ Ramos, Gerry (October 22, 2022). "Aaron Black rushed to hospital after accidental Nambatac elbow". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  57. ^ Bacnis, Justine (November 16, 2022). "PBA: Almazan, McDaniels deliver as Meralco beats TNT for third straight win". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  58. ^ Bacnis, Justine (November 30, 2022). "PBA: Clark's 40, Varilla-Miranda connection give NLEX hope, eliminate Meralco". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  59. ^ Terrado, Reuben (January 23, 2023). "Aaron Black, Aljun Melecio miss openers, but set to be back soon". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  60. ^ Bacnis, Justine (February 4, 2023). "PBA: Comebacking Caram, Meralco dampen Rosario's return with 26-point beatdown". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  61. ^ Bacnis, Justine (February 17, 2023). "PBA: All-around Hollis-Jefferson tows TNT past Meralco". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  62. ^ Bacnis, Justine (March 3, 2023). "PBA: Meralco spoils Danny Ildefonso's return, Franklin's 57-point outing". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  63. ^ Bacnis, Justine (March 10, 2023). "PBA: Paul Lee torches Marcio, Juami in 3-point final". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  64. ^ Bacnis, Justine (March 10, 2023). "PBA: Adrian Wong-led Greats romp Encho Serrano's Stalwarts in RSJ game". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  65. ^ Bacnis, Justine (March 22, 2023). "PBA: Aaron Black saves the day as rest of Meralco takes charge in OT, boots out Magnolia". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  66. ^ Bacnis, Justine (March 26, 2023). "PBA: Black, Hodge take charge in OT as Meralco evens series vs TNT". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  67. ^ Bacnis, Justine (March 31, 2023). "PBA: Mikey Williams puts nail in Meralco's coffin as TNT sets up clash vs Ginebra". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  68. ^ "Aaron Black Player Profile, Meralco Bolts - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com.
  69. ^ Marquez, CJ (May 20, 2019). "Returning Mighty Sports PH hopes to repeat success in Jones Cup". cnn. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  70. ^ Bacnis, Justine (March 26, 2023). "Aaron Black grateful for NT call up: 'Matagal ko nang gusto maging part ng Gilas'". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  71. ^ Tantengco, Ceej (January 29, 2021). "Made for This: The incredible rookie journey of Aaron Black – SLAMonline Philippines". SLAM Online PH. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  72. ^ Lozada, Mei-Lin (December 4, 2017). "Girlfriends stand by their men at end of a fiercely fought Ateneo-La Salle finale". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
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