Tar Heels in the NBA: Cole Anthony climbing rookie rankings
By Zack Pearson
![NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 16: Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic calls a play during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 16, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 16: Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic calls a play during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 16, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/bf458b7af87853d631359977e572a09f9a03168754b5312a77b53ce07aa4ebf6.jpg)
Former UNC Basketball point guard Cole Anthony is starting to make headlines in his rookie season in the NBA. After being selected No. 15 overall by the Orlando Magic, Anthony found himself coming off the bench for the first few games.
But after an injury to Markelle Fultz sidelined the point guard, Anthony took over the starting spot and has now climbed up the rookie rankings in the process.
NBA.com debuted their annual rookie ladder sponsored by Kia just last week with LaMelo Ball taking the top spot. But after a week and the second edition, Anthony is starting to climb near the top of the list.
Anthony checks in at No. 4 in the latest edition of the rankings going into Wednesday night’s games, up five spots from his debut at No. 9 a week ago. He trails Golden State’s James Wiseman, Ball and Sacramento’s Tyrese Haliburton on the list. He was the biggest mover of all rookies since the first list was released.
𝐂 𝐎 𝐋 𝐄 𝐖 🌎 𝐑 𝐋 𝐃
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 26, 2021
Career-High 20 points for our rookie.@The_ColeAnthony | #MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/0wMynglglw
Since taking over as the starter, Anthony has set a new career high in points and has delivered a buzzer-beater for the Magic. He’s playing with more confidence and finds himself in a good spot to climb the rankings even further.
He’s averaging 11.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game this season including 13.4 points over the past week. Those numbers should continue to go up as the year goes on with Anthony playing better. Anthony is even improving from beyond the arc too, going 15 of 29 for 51.7 percent in his last 7 games.
There’s a lot of season left and don’t be shocked if you continue to see Anthony climbing the rookie ladder even higher and potentially making a run at the Rookie of the Year Award.
Cole Anthony notches career-high for Magic. dark. Next
For more on Anthony and other former UNC Basketball players in the NBA, please check back with Keeping It Heel.