All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Pro Cole Anthony Shines as Consistent Magic Contributor

Former UNC basketball star Cole Anthony is a top weapon for an upstart Orlando squad.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball guard Cole Anthony (Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports)
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Cole Anthony, who agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract extension with the Orlando Magic before the season began, tends to be inconsistent. Nevertheless, the UNC basketball product is a reliable contributor thus far this year.

The 23-year-old, a 2019 first-round draft pick following his one-and-done campaign with the Tar Heels, has scored in double digits in all but two of the Magic's 11 outings. And he's done so in a reserve role on a notably promising young Orlando team.

On Wednesday, Anthony tallied 16 points (the Magic's second-leading scorer), shooting 6-for-11 from the field, 2-for-3 beyond the arc, and 2-for-2 at the charity stripe across only 22 minutes in a 96-94 road win over the Chicago Bulls.

He added five rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

It marked the Magic's sixth victory overall and third in six attempts away from home, an impressive improvement from their 2-9 record through 11 games last year.

As one of six Magic players who have played in every contest, Cole Anthony has averaged 13.5 points (third on the team behind Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner) in only 23.7 minutes per game while shooting 42.6 percent overall, 36.4 percent from deep, and 81.6 percent at the line.

Orlando (6-5), looking to remain above .500 with hopes of the franchise reaching the postseason for the first time since 2020, face the Bulls (4-8) again in Chicago on Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

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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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