OKC Thunder: NBA Draft stock report ahead of conference tournaments
By Rylan Stiles
Stock Down: Cole Anthony, PG, UNC, 13th in my Mock Draft
It seems like just yesterday, Cole Anthony was rated my second-best prospect in this draft, winning the first-ever preseason Tyler Herro award, and having nothing but glowing expectations around him. Believe me, I was ready to take a victory lap after his 34 points five-assist, and 11 rebound college debut against Notre Dame to start the season.
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A few injuries later, and one of the worst seasons in North Carolina Basketball history, the love affair has died out for most around Cole Anthony. The New York native has still put up quality numbers, 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game.
His lackluster shooting percentages are to be expected when he is the only scorer on the Tar Heels squad. However, in order to justify 38 percent from the floor, I need more than 19 points per contest.
The North Carolina Tar Heels are playing on the opening day of the ACC tournament since the early 2000s, and Cole Anthony has not done a whole lot against quality opposition. Saturday against Duke, the freshman only put up nine points, two steals, three assists, and two rebounds.
He shot 22 percent from the floor in that game. The point guard has scored 20 points against a quality team just once all year, in his first meeting with the Blue Devils.
I still believe in Cole Anthony as a prospect, and what he can be in the NBA, but eventually it is put up or shut up time. The Tar Heels are not even an NIT team, much less an NCAA Tournament team, so this is Anthony’s last shot to prove himself. He and the Tar Heels need a huge run in the conference tournament this week. Their week gets started Wednesday against Virginia Tech at 6:30 p.m. CST.