UNC Basketball: Cole Anthony gearing up for start of regular season

As he prepares for his rookie season, how has former UNC basketball standout Cole Anthony performed during his first three NBA preseason contests?

The official start of the 2020-21 NBA regular season is just a few days away, and UNC basketball alumni around the league are working hard to get ready for the games that count. As this offseason isn’t a typical one, rookie guard Cole Anthony is looking to make the most of his preseason competition experiences.

So far, Anthony and the Magic have played three preseason contests. The team will take part in one more exhibition game on Saturday afternoon before they open up their season on Wednesday against the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat.

In his first NBA action, Anthony struggled offensively, as he scored seven points on 3-for-10 shooting, and 1-for-4 from behind-the-arc. However, even though he struggled in his first game, the former Tar Heel guard seems to be settling in, as he’s shot the ball much more efficiently over his last two contests.

In the second preseason matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, Anthony played 27 minutes off the bench. The rookie guard scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 2-of-4 from three-point range. He also added four assists and four rebounds to add to his overall effective performance.

On Thursday night against the Charlotte Hornets, Anthony scored 13 points and again shot the basketball at a high level. He hit four of his seven shots, three of which were three-point field goals, over his 20 minutes of action.

As with every NBA rookie this season, these talented athletes will have to learn on the fly. Teams will throw their young talents into the fire, and will see if they can handle the pressures of the NBA. Based on the team’s preseason contests, it appears that Anthony will begin the season in a reserve role. This role could definitely fit him well, as he will have the opportunity to grow while also leading the team’s second unit.

Leading the team’s second unit could mean that there will be ample shot opportunities for Anthony, which is something that would fit his game nicely. We know how good of a scorer Anthony could be, and he’ll have the opportunity to showcase that over time.

If you’re reading into the exhibition contests, you have to be encouraged with how Anthony has performed so far. For starters, Anthony looks healthy. This is unfortunately something we didn’t get to see fully during his one season in Chapel Hill. Hopefully Anthony can stay healthy so he can showcase his true talent and potential.

Along with being healthy, Anthony has learned from his rough shooting night in the team’s preseason opener, and has made the most of his shot opportunities over the last two contests.

Anthony definitely has room to grow, but his potential is something that makes him a player to keep an eye on. As the NBA season is almost ready to kickoff, fans should be excited to see what Anthony is capable of.

Continue to follow the Keeping It Heel team as we keep you up to date on Cole Anthony and other UNC basketball alumni throughout the NBA