NBA Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year
player. 38. . PG. Orlando Magic. Cole Anthony. 15
NBA Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year: 15. Cole Anthony
Stats:
- 12.9 points
- 4.7 rebounds
- 4.1 assists
It was a rollercoaster ride for Cole Anthony. After lighting up everyone on the high school scene, he was considered by most as the number one overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. With that said, everything went wrong during his time in North Carolina.
On its face, Anthony had a great individual year. He averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4 assists but injuries kept him out of the lineup, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the Tarheels weren’t a title threat.
Anthony’s stock to a huge hit but that didn’t stop the Orlando Magic from grabbing him with the 15th overall pick. He may have started off slow but once he got his legs under him and with starting point guard Markelle Fultz going down for the year, Anthony stepped up in a big way. In the last ten games of the season, Anthony averaged 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
Even with Fultz coming back next season, it’s going to be difficult to wrestle the starting job away from Anthony. In the final game of the year, he gave Magic fans something to cheer for as he dropped 37 points and eight rebounds. Pair that with his clutch ability and the Magic may have landed their point guard of the future.
Grade: B+