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UNC Basketball: Cole Anthony narrowly misses first career triple-double

By Blake Cockrum

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 08: Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena on January 08, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 08: Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena on January 08, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /
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Former UNC basketball standout Cole Anthony missed his first career triple-double by one assist on Wednesday night.

Cole Anthony has made tremendous strides in his second professional basketball season, finding more consistency than he did as a rookie and demonstrating a level of star-power that many didn’t even think he possessed.

He ranks first on the Orlando Magic in points, assists and minutes per game, and is third in rebounds, PER (Player Efficiency Ranking) and assist-to-turnover ratio. Anthony also leads the Magic in big-time shots, confidence and outstanding postgame interviews. He’s quickly become the leader of an Orlando organization that is currently bad but looking to add to its nucleus of young talent through the draft.

It was all on display again on Wednesday night when Anthony flirted with his first career triple-double, but missed it by one measly assist. And even though he was struggling to generate offense with his usual efficiency, he impacted the game in other ways.

He nearly hit his season average by scoring a game-high 19 points, but it came on a 6-for-17 shooting performance that included a 2-for-8 mark from three-point range. But when his shots weren’t falling, he was rebounding at a high rate and facilitating the ball well. He pulled down 11 rebounds and dished out nine assists in 33 minutes of play.

In the end, it wasn’t enough to beat the Washington Wizards, as Anthony’s Magic fell by a final score of 112-106. They’re now sitting in last place of the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 7-35 on the season, the worst in the NBA.

They don’t lack confidence, though, and have a lot of good young pieces to build on. If they could take advantage of a high draft pick in the upcoming draft, and aquire a solid asset or two in free agency, they could make some waves in the near future. That resurgence will be led by Anthony, who has clearly established himself as “the guy” in Orlando.

Next. Hubert Davis checking in on UNC commit. dark

For more on Cole Anthony and other UNC basketball alumni throughout the NBA, check back with Keeping It Heel.

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