Cole Anthony is about to follow in Zion Williamson’s footsteps.
Despite undergoing an arthroscopic procedure for a partially torn meniscus in his right knee earlier this season that’s kept him out of action for longer than a month, the projected NBA lottery pick plans to return to the court this season, in the same fashion that Williamson did last year for Duke.
“Can’t wait to join my brothers on the court again,” Anthony recently posted on his Instagram account, with a picture of him at practice with his teammates.
“We thought, and still think that Cole (Anthony) is a big time player. And when he gets back we think he will be a big positive for our team.” https://t.co/2xWtg2nvPT
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) January 18, 2020
Just like with Williamson last season, there has been much debate about Anthony erring on the side of caution and sitting out the rest of the season to prepare for the NBA Draft, but he wants to play, and his team needs him.
“Well, Cole Anthony is a freshman who has only played (nine) games, and I thought it would help him to sit up there (on the bench) and listen to us too to see if it could help him because Cole has tremendous savvy,” said Roy Williams recently on a radio show. “Drew (Gooden) didn’t have tremendous savvy, but Cole’s got great savvy. But just understanding what we are wanting.”
Without their star, North Carolina has gone 2-5 and sits at 8-8. The Tar Heels will take on Pittsburgh on Saturday, after losing to them 73-65 at home a few weeks ago. In nine games with the Tar Heels, Anthony was averaging 19.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, after putting up 34 points in his debut.
