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UNC Basketball: Cole Anthony’s playing time to increase after Fultz injury

By Blake Cockrum

Dec 31, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) drives around Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle (22) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) drives around Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle (22) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former UNC basketball point guard Cole Anthony will have a larger role with the Orlando Magic after a season-ending injury to Markelle Fultz.

Orlando Magic reserve point guard Cole Anthony is just eight games into his rookie season, but he could be getting the first start of his young career when his team takes the floor against the Houston Rockets on Friday night.

Magic starting point guard Markelle Fultz went down with an apparent leg injury mid-way through the first quarter on Wednesday night. After undergoing evaluation with team doctors, it was determined that Fultz suffered a torn ACL in his left knee that will end his season. With Fultz on the shelf for the rest of the 2020-21 campaign, Orlando will have to rely more heavily on their rookie point guard just months removed from his lone season at the University of North Carolina.

https://twitter.com/MarkelleF/status/1347026478236622850

Anthony, the No. 15 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, has struggled through his first three weeks of the season. He’s hitting just 30 percent of his shots from the floor, and 19 percent from beyond the arc. Those are rough numbers to say the least, but maybe with a more permanent and defined role within the Orlando organization, Anthony will be able to flourish. If his season-high 32 minutes against the Cavaliers on Wednesday night are any indication, he’ll definitely have plenty of opportunity out on the court.

Despite his difficulty shooting the ball to this point, Anthony is averaging 4.9 rebounds and three assists, while turning the ball over just 1.2 times per game. Those numbers are a bit surprising given that he barely maintained a positive assist-to-turnover ratio in 22 games with the Tar Heels last season. Regardless, it’s a bright spot to his young career, and one to continue building on as he looks for his shot in the coming games.

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