UNC Basketball: Cole Anthony’s status for Virginia Tech game?

The UNC basketball program is still without injured star freshman Cole Anthony. When will he make his return to the Tar Heels’ lineup?

University of North Carolina freshman point guard Cole Anthony has been away from the basketball court for more than a month. He underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his right knee on December 17, and began a recovery process that was expected to take four to six weeks.

That time frame would put him back on the court in late January, potentially in time for the Tar Heels’ game at NC State. Many have doubted, however, whether or not Anthony would actually come back from such an injury just months before he’s expected to be a top-five pick in the NBA Draft.

Throughout his recovery, Anthony has remained adamant about his intention to play for the Tar Heels again this season. On Tuesday night, he reaffirmed that notion in a Twitter post stating that his “mind is made up” and he “can’t wait to get back on the court.”

Despite how much Anthony wants to return to the basketball court, it doesn’t appear that he’ll do so for the Tar Heels’ game against the Hokies on Wednesday. UNC head coach Roy Williams didn’t have a clear update on Anthony’s status in his press conference on Monday. He did, however, confirm that Anthony has still not practiced since his surgery.

It seems unlikely that Williams would allow Anthony to participate in a game prior to his return to practice. At least, that’s been the case in years past. We expect to have a more clear understanding of Anthony’s timetable for a return in the next week or so.

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