UNC Basketball: The latest on Cole Anthony and the Tar Heels

Recruiting analysts talk Cole Anthony, timetable for a decision and the Tar Heels

North Carolina head coach Roy Williams found a good one in Coby White.

The 6-foot-5, 185-pound freshman out of Goldsboro, North Carolina has become one of college basketball’s premier guards, regardless of class. He’s been so good, in fact, that the Tar Heels may need back court reinforcements a bit sooner than they had initially anticipated.

That’s where Cole Anthony comes into play. The 5-star prospect from the class of 2019 has been a hot topic among UNC fans of late, most of which see the writing on the wall as it pertains to White and his NBA prospects.

North Carolina head coach Roy Williams has been pushing for Anthony over the past year as hard as he has for any player in recent memory. And given the potential vacancy in the Tar Heels’ back court next season, his commitment could be one of grave importance.

A 6-foot-3, 184-pound point guard, Anthony is far and away the top back court prospect in the country. He’s got a smooth offensive game, runs the floor well, and creates opportunities for himself and his teammates. He combines tremendous athleticism with a high basketball IQ, and uses his great court vision in fast-break situations or to drive the lane and kick the ball out to open shooters.

Anthony is a reliable defender, too. In spite of not having tremendous size, he plays tenacious defense thanks to his active feet and quickness. He does a good job of staying in front of his man, and denying passing lanes. He’s also a really good rebounder for a guard.

With all of that in consideration — combined with the prospect of Coby White’s departure after this season — it’s no wonder why Williams would love to add Anthony to the Tar Heels’ 2019 recruiting class.

A pair of Rivals analysts recently discussed Anthony’s recruitment, a timetable for his decision and where he might end up next fall.

"“I’m going to go with Cole Anthony [on which 2019 prospect will commit last],” Krysten Peek said. “The five-star point guard is down to a final six schools of North Carolina, Miami, Notre Dame, Georgetown, Wake Forest and Oregon but talks behind the scene seem to think it’s a close race between Oregon and UNC. When I talked to Anthony at the City of Palms Classic in December he said he has no idea when he’s going to decide. Anthony is a must-get for UNC, and would be another big-time player for Oregon to land and bring some life to the Pac-12 next year after five-star Isaiah Stewart chose Washington a few weeks ago.”"

Peek again highlighted that Anthony’s decision will likely come down to North Carolina and Oregon — a popular belief among analysts over the past couple of months. And while she seems quite unsure about Anthony’s eventual landing spot, Rivals’ Dan McDonald still believes that the talented guard will end up in Chapel Hill.

"“Cole Anthony has been doing the recruiting process at his own pace and the way he wants to do it the whole way so far, so I don’t expect that to change,” McDonald said. “Knowing he has the leverage in this deal, I don’t expect him to come off the board any time soon. My guess is whenever this one does come to an end that he will be wearing a lighter shade of blue playing for Roy Williams at North Carolina.”"

It’s completely possible that Anthony — who’s already stated that he’s looking to make a decision at the end of the college basketball season — could be waiting to see if Coby White decides to stick around for another year, or enter the 2019 NBA Draft.

Anthony is the No. 4 prospect in the class of 2019 according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s the top player at his position, and the No. 1 prospect in the state of Virginia.

Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on Anthony, and everything North Carolina basketball.