NBA Draft: Cole Anthony could be a forgotten gem in the 2020 class

Cole Anthony could be a forgotten gem as he is often overlooked when projecting the top players from the 2020 NBA Draft class.

The 2020 NBA Draft class is filled with a numerous amount of talented players who can display a certain presence that can help an NBA team develop in the future. With all of the talks that have revolved around LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, and other potential top 3 picks, there is one guy in this year’s draft that many people should look out for.

That prospect is Cole Anthony who played this past season at North Carolina under the legendary head coach Roy Williams.

Many will know Cole Anthony to be the son of retired NBA veteran Greg Anthony of the New York Knicks. Looking at Anthony’s style of play, he most definitely has his Dad’s basketball IQ for the game but he has also added his own flavor and style to his game as well.

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For a point guard, Anthony is probably known as one of the best scorers in this year’s draft. Looking at his time transitioning from Oak Hill Academy to the collegiate level, Anthony understood what he needed to do to adjust to the physicality of the NCAA and find new ways to lead his team in scoring this season.

One thing that’s great about Anthony is that the kid can get his own shot on any side on the court. He is a sniper from 3-point range and is also very skilled around the midrange area. Many people believe that he shows no weakness on the offensive end which at times has led Anthony to draw double teams from opponents and forced to pass the ball out. Anthony’s offensive ability has no question been a big factor since his days in high school. And it’s for sure going to carry on once he goes into the NBA.

Anthony is projected to become a first-round draft pick based on his performance this past season with a struggling North Carolina team. But for him to become a successful star in the NBA, he will have to make some adjustments to his game to make his team better and have longevity in the NBA.

Although we know Anthony to be a lethal scorer for a team, a place he can work on in his game is facilitating. In college, Anthony only averaged four assists per game in his freshman season. There’s a chance that those assist numbers could possibly go up if he continues to move the ball and get teammates involved. With his brilliant IQ for the game, Anthony would be a terrific playmaker if he set up his teammates more often.

Another thing that can be a concern for Anthony in the NBA is health. Looking at last season with the Tar Heels, Anthony missed a lot of time whether it was knee problems or other types of injuries. Yes, they are a part of the game but they can also be the difference-maker for a player’s career as well. If Anthony can stay healthy for the majority of his NBA career, then he can continue to develop and become the star we know him to be one day.

There are many teams in the NBA that would love to use Anthony for their team so they can one day become a contender in the league. Teams in Detroit, New York, and Phoenix could be in need of a point guard who can score and dish the ball out to teammates. Anthony could be a fit for any of those teams. With his development and his fast learning of the game, he could quickly become a difference-maker for a lottery team and could make some noise in the near future.

Cole Anthony might not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking about this year’s draft class, but he can’t be overlooked. Despite struggled a bit during his lone season at North Carolina, Anthony did have his bright spots and flashed his potential many times over the course of the season.

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Anthony will likely be selected late in the lottery but, make no mistake, any team that lands him will be lucky to have him. And, in a few years in the right development program, he could be one of the best players to come out of this NBA Draft class.

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