All Tar Heels

Former UNC Basketball One-And-Done Knocks Down Absurd Circus Shot

UNC basketball's Cole Anthony is a showman reserve for the Magic.

Matt Giles

Former UNC basketball guard Cole Anthony (Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports)
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On Sunday, former one-year UNC basketball guard Cole Anthony helped the Orlando Magic (34-48 last season) notch their third straight victory. The team improved to 8-5 this season and jumped into a three-way tie for fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

And the 23-year-old Anthony delivered his contributions in style, digging deep into his bag of tricks in the 128-116 road win over the Indiana Pacers.

Check out the following crazy-high-off-the-glass 17-foot fadeaway moonball against two Pacers defenders late in the first quarter:

It was a circus shot, indeed. Anthony was fouled on the play and drained the free throw, giving the Magic a 42-21 lead heading into the second quarter.

That wasn't his only creatively manufactured bucket across the first 12 minutes of action. Three minutes earlier, he pulled off this "slick up-and-under" through traffic:

Cole Anthony, who went 15th overall at the 2020 NBA Draft and is now in his fourth season with the Magic, finished the contest with 15 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one block in 25 minutes off the bench.

The performance marked his fourth straight scoring in double figures and 11th across 13 outings this season. He's averaged 13.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, shooting 40.9 percent from the field and 84.2 percent at the charity stripe.

As one of the most consistent weapons among UNC basketball's eight active players in the league, Cole Anthony could earn a spot in the conversation for NBA Sixth Man of the Year.

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Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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