All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Product Cole Anthony Is 'Proud Pops' of Duke Great

Former UNC basketball and Duke basketball one-and-done sensations shared a moment on the surging Magic's postgame stage.

Matt Giles

Former UNC basketball guard Cole Anthony and Duke basketball forward Paolo Banchero (Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports)
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On Tuesday night, former UNC basketball guard Cole Anthony (2019-20) and Duke basketball forward Paolo Banchero (2021-22), two of many young Orlando Magic talents on the rise as a unit, earned their place on the podium speaking to the media.

They were top performers for the Magic (9-5, fifth in the Eastern Conference standings) in their fourth straight victory, 126-107 over the visiting Toronto Raptors. Note that Orlando's win streak includes three road outings.

Despite their ties to opposite ends of college basketball's greatest rivalry, Anthony and Banchero display

ed their bond in the presser, just as they so often do on the court.

When a reporter likened Paolo Banchero's shot creation to retired NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, Cole Anthony interrupted with a pat on his teammate's back, a hand to the heart, and two words: "Proud Pops."

Here's the clip of that interaction:

Banchero, the 2022 No. 1 overall draft pick and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year despite Orlando's 34-48 record last season, tallied 25 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one block against the Raptors, logging a team-high 32 minutes. The newly minted 21-year-old from Seattle shot 10-for-20 from the field, 2-for-3 from three, and 3-for-3 at the line.

As for Anthony, who went to the Magic at No. 15 overall in 2020 and has been a double-digit scorer ever since as both a starter and reserve, the 23-year-old son of former NBA journeyman guard Greg Anthony finished with 15 points and a season-high 10 assists in 29 minutes off the bench.

It was his first double-double of the points-assist variety since March 2022. And in compiling those numbers, Anthony mirrored Banchero's efficiency, shooting 5-for-10 from the field, 2-for-4 beyond the arc, and 3-for-3 at the charity stripe.

The Orlando Magic boast another Duke basketball product in 2017-18 one-and-done Wendell Carter Jr., a full-time starter and often a double-double producer when healthy. But the 24-year-old big man has been out of commission the past two weeks with a broken finger.

So, that makes the Magic's ongoing winning ways look even more impressive.

Yes, Cole Anthony, the lone UNC basketball pro in Orlando, is thriving alongside two Blue Devils. Whatever works.

UNC One-And-Done Cole Anthony Knocks Down Absurd Circus Shot

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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