{"id":844208,"date":"2026-08-05T08:46:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T08:46:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/844208\/"},"modified":"2026-08-05T08:46:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T08:46:15","slug":"former-top-15-nba-draft-pick-cole-anthony-signs-deal-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/844208\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Top-15 NBA Draft pick Cole Anthony signs deal in Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Melbourne United have signed former NBA point guard Cole Anthony on a one-year deal.<\/p>\n

Credit: AP\/Scanpix nuotr.<\/p>\n

Melbourne United have completed a major addition ahead of the 2026-27 NBL season by signing former NBA first-round pick Cole Anthony<\/a>.<\/p>\n


\n \"Cole
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

\n Position
\n PG\n <\/p>\n

\n Age
\n 26\n <\/p>\n

\n Height
\n 188 cm\n <\/p>\n

\n Weight
\n 84 kg\n <\/p>\n

\n Birth place
\n Portland, United States of America\n <\/p>\n

The Australian club officially announced that Anthony has agreed to a one-year contract after spending his NBA career with the Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks.<\/p>\n

“I’m super excited to begin this journey with Melbourne United,” Anthony said<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“This is a great opportunity to continue growing as a player and compete for a championship. I’m ready to get to work and can’t wait to represent the club and meet the fans.”<\/p>\n

Anthony brings six seasons of NBA experience <\/p>\n

Anthony arrives in Melbourne after playing 367 NBA games and averaging 12.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists over his career.<\/p>\n

The 26-year-old guard was selected by the Magic with the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft after spending one season at the University of North Carolina.<\/p>\n

Anthony averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists across 22 college appearances, earning spots on the All-ACC Third Team and All-ACC Freshman Team.<\/p>\n

He later established himself as a regular member of Orlando’s rotation and recorded a career-high 37 points against the Philadelphia 76ers.<\/p>\n

Melbourne expects Anthony to elevate offense \"Cole<\/p>\n

Cole Anthony<\/p>\n

Credit Dustin Satloff\/Getty Images\/AFP – Scanpix<\/p>\n

Melbourne head coach Jacob Chance said the club targeted an elite guard capable of leading the offense while also improving the players around him.<\/p>\n

“In this last spot, we wanted an elite guard with the ability to help lead our offense with his scoring ability, who makes his teammates better, while also being a really good person off the court, and Cole Anthony checks every one of those boxes,” Chance said.<\/p>\n

“His pace of play, his strength finishing around the rim, his vision, his versatility playing off the ball as a shooter, his willingness to get down in a stance and defend, all of that makes him the perfect guard for this team.”<\/p>\n

Chance also emphasized that Anthony’s main priority throughout their conversations was competing for a championship.<\/p>\n

“I’m confident that his best basketball is still ahead of him, so coming to the NBL, we expect him to elevate his game to a new level, in turn lifting everyone around him,” the coach added.<\/p>\n

“This is a huge moment for our club. I already can’t wait to see him in a United jersey inside John Cain Arena.”<\/p>\n

Anthony reunites with Joe Ingles \"Joe<\/p>\n

Joe Ingles<\/p>\n

Credit AP – Scanpix<\/p>\n

Anthony will reunite with former Magic teammate Joe Ingles, who also joined Melbourne United.<\/p>\n

The two appeared in 75 games together during the 2023-24 season with the Magic, and Ingles expects the former first-round pick to become one of the NBL’s most dangerous offensive players.<\/p>\n

“Cole is an elite scorer, elite competitor, and I think he’s going to have a big impact here in the NBL,” Ingles said.<\/p>\n

“I think a point guard in this league is very important, and we’ve got a hell of a local point guard with Shea Ili, so adding in Cole with his pace, his ability to score at a high level, it’s going to be a handful for other teams.”<\/p>\n

Ingles believes Anthony’s ability to draw defensive attention will create opportunities for the rest of Melbourne’s roster.<\/p>\n

“He’s going to command so much attention from the defense, and that’s going to open things up for everyone on the court with him,” Ingles added.<\/p>\n

“He’s a great guy, he’s got a big personality, and I think United fans are going to love him.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

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