Cole Anthony

Cole Hinton Anthony was born on May 15, 2000, in Portland, Oregon. His father, Greg Anthony, played 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Growing up in Manhattan, New York, Cole Anthony developed a strong work ethic. He initially played baseball but decided to focus on basketball in fifth grade. He worked with private trainers and played pickup games, seeking out older competition. As a child, he appeared in “Little Ballers,” a 2013 documentary directed by his mother, Crystal McCrary, which featured his AAU team, New Heights.

Anthony attended Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, New York, where he was the first freshman point guard to start for the team. He later transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, for his senior year. During his high school career, he earned numerous accolades, including MVP of the Nike Hoop Summit, Jordan Brand Classic, and McDonald’s All-American Game in 2019. He was a consensus five-star recruit and the top point guard in his class, committing to play college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels. In his freshman season at North Carolina (2019-2020), Anthony earned third-team All-ACC and ACC All-Freshman Team honors, despite missing six weeks due to a torn meniscus. He averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4 assists per game.

Anthony was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft. He played for the Magic from 2020 to 2025, during which he signed a three-year, $39 million extension in October 2023. In June 2025, he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, and then signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in July 2025, making 35 appearances during the 2025–26 NBA season. In February 2026, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns and subsequently waived. Anthony signed with Melbourne United of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) in August 2026.