UNC Basketball: Cole Anthony named SLAM All-American

Class of 2019 five-star UNC Basketball commit Cole Anthony was named a All-American by SLAM Magazine on Tuesday afternoon

Five-star point guard Cole Anthony was the prized recruit for the North Carolina Tar Heels in their 2019 class, essentially capping off the class with a commitment in April just hours before four-star guard Anthony Harris offered his commitment as well. By landing Anthony, the Tar Heels class jumped up in the rankings and gave them another five-star recruit.

For months it seemed like Anthony’s commitment would never come to an end. Despite multiple unofficial visits and rumors swirling that the Tar Heels were the favorites, Anthony took his time with his recruitment before officially announcing in Mid-April.

Anthony’s preference was to wait and let the recruitment play out which is very respectable. He was wrapping up his senior year at Oak Hill, while dominating on the court. Anthony finished his high school career at Oak Hill after transferring there for his final year and made some history.

He became the first player in the program’s history to average a triple-double in a season with 19.0 points, 10.5 assists, and 10.1 rebounds. Anthony finished his senior year as one of the top recruits in the country, being ranked No. 4 overall by 247 Sports. He was named the MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game and co-MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic.

But before Anthony steps foot on UNC’s campus in Chapel Hill, he’s being recognized one more time.

Anthony was one of five players to be named to the SLAM Magazine All-American Team on Tuesday afternoon. The magazine released their list featuring Anthony, James Wiseman (Memphis), Vernon Carey Jr. (Duke), Anthony Edwards (Georgia) and Jaden McDaniels (Washington).

The five players took part in a photoshoot that will be featured in an upcoming issue of the magazine this Summer.

Anthony is UNC’s highest-ranked recruit since Harrison Barnes who committed to the Tar Heels back in November of 2009. He is joined by four-star recruits Anthony Harris, Armando Bacot and three-star point guard Jeremiah Francis in UNC’s 2019 class. The Tar Heels also added Christian Keeling and Justin Pierce as graduate transfers.

UNC may not be done with the 2019 class as former Michigan commit Jalen Wilson has re-opened his recruitment and is currently on an unofficial visit to UNC. Wilson will make a decision after visiting Kansas, UNC and Michigan.

For more on Anthony and other UNC Basketball recruits, please check back with Keeping It Heel.