Tar Heels in NBA: Cole Anthony notches career-high in win over Hornets

Former Tar Heel Cole Anthony scorches Charlotte for career-high 21 points on Monday night

It goes without being said that Cole Anthony got off to a slow start this season, but if his past week is any indication of what direction he’s heading, then it’s good news for both him and the Orlando Magic.

Anthony scored a career-high 21 points against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night, and did so on his most efficient performance of the season to this point. In doing so, he topped the 16-point plateau that he’d reached twice this season — once against the 76ers, and again at Brooklyn two weeks ago. The former Tar Heel hit 8-of-12 shots for the game, and 4-of-5 from three-point range. He also pulled down five rebounds, and dished out three assists in 31 minutes of play.

It marks his seventh double-digit scoring effort over the last 10 games after doing so just twice in his first eight. It was also the second time this season — both of which have come in the past week — that Anthony has hit at least three shots from beyond the arc in a single game. During that span, he’s connected on an outstanding 12-of-18 from long-range, while averaging better than five rebounds and three assists per game.

He’s beginning to look like a solid replacement for Markelle Fultz, the Magic’s former starting point guard who will miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season with a torn ACL in his left knee. Thanks to that, and Anthony’s continued growth over the past month, he won’t have any shortage of opportunities to prove his worth in Orlando. Along with seeing his minutes increase from 20.4 (January) to 27.9 (February), Anthony is averaging more points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, and is shooting better overall and from three-point range.

For all the latest on Cole Anthony and former Tar Heels throughout the league, check back with Keeping It Heel.