Cole Anthony Bio
Cole Hinton Anthony is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on May 15, 2000, in Portland, Oregon, Anthony plays the point guard position and is listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 185 pounds. He is the son of former NBA guard Greg Anthony, who played 11 seasons in the league, and the stepson of Wall Street executive Raymond McGuire. Anthony gained national recognition as one of the most highly ranked high school recruits in the 2019 class before playing college basketball at the University of North Carolina.
After a single season with the North Carolina Tar Heels, Anthony declared for the 2020 NBA draft and was selected 15th overall by the Orlando Magic. Over the following five seasons, he developed into a reliable scoring guard, known for his late-game shot-making and competitive energy. In 2025, he was traded in a multi-player deal and eventually signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he continues to play in a reserve role.
Early Life and Background
Cole Hilton Anthony was born on May 15, 2000, in Portland, Oregon, where his father Greg Anthony was playing for the Portland Trail Blazers at the time. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Manhattan, New York, where he grew up in a high-rise home overlooking the city. Although the Anthony household was financially comfortable, his parents raised him with a strong emphasis on discipline and hard work, values that shaped his competitive personality from a young age.
Anthony first tried baseball as a child, a sport his father briefly thought he might pursue, before turning his full attention to basketball in fifth grade. He spent hours training with private coaches and competing in pick-up games at neighborhood parks, often seeking out older players to challenge himself. From an early age, he was mentored by AAU coach Steve Harris, who also worked closely with former UConn and NBA guard Kemba Walker. At 11 years old, Anthony appeared in the 2013 Nickelodeon documentary Little Ballers, which was directed by his mother, author and filmmaker Crystal McCrary.
Path to Basketball
Anthony’s rapid development on the New York AAU circuit made him one of the most talked-about young players in the country. He played for the PSA Cardinals in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, where he was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and Most Valuable Player in 2018. His performances at the high school level attracted national attention, and by his junior year, he was rated as one of the top point guard prospects in the 2019 recruiting class.
On April 23, 2019, Anthony committed to play college basketball at the University of North Carolina, choosing the Tar Heels over Georgetown, Notre Dame, and Oregon. He was rated a consensus five-star recruit, the number one point guard in his class, and a top-five overall player nationally. ESPN ranked him as the second-best player in the 2019 class, behind only RJ Barrett.
Cole Anthony Career
High School Career (2015–2019)
Anthony began his high school career at Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, New York, where he became the first freshman to immediately start at point guard. As a sophomore, he led Molloy to the CHSAA Class AA city championship finals and posted a season-high 31 points against Iona Prep. His production grew steadily, and by his junior year, he was averaging 23.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
Seeking a stronger national stage for his senior year, Anthony transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. He teamed up with fellow top recruit Kofi Cockburn and led Oak Hill to a 31-5 record and the semifinals of the GEICO High School Nationals. Anthony averaged 18.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game, becoming the first player in school history to average a triple-double. He was named MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game, the Nike Hoop Summit, and the Jordan Brand Classic.
North Carolina Tar Heels (2019–2020)
Anthony opened his freshman season at North Carolina in spectacular fashion, scoring 34 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing five assists in a 76-65 win over Notre Dame. The performance broke a program record previously held by Rashad McCants and set an ACC record for points in a freshman debut. He was named ACC Player and Freshman of the Week after the first two games of the season.
His freshman campaign was interrupted in December 2019 when he underwent surgery for a partially torn meniscus in his right knee. He returned in February 2020 and continued to produce at a high level, including a 26-point outing in a narrow loss to Boston College. Anthony finished the year averaging 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and four assists per game in 22 appearances, earning third-team All-ACC and ACC All-Freshman Team honors.
Orlando Magic (2020–2025)
Anthony was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. After being signed in November 2020, he quickly became a key part of the team’s backcourt rotation. On January 20, 2021, he hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 97-96, and on May 1, 2021, he sank another game-winning three with 0.1 seconds remaining to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies. That rookie season, he became the first Magic rookie since Victor Oladipo to score 30 or more points in a single game.
On October 23, 2023, Anthony signed a three-year, $39 million contract extension with Orlando, cementing his role with the franchise. He continued to provide scoring punch off the bench and developed a reputation for clutch shooting. In the 2024-25 season, he helped lead the Magic to a 120-95 play-in tournament win over the Atlanta Hawks with a team-high 26 points, securing the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Milwaukee Bucks (2025–2026)
On June 15, 2025, Anthony was traded, along with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and multiple draft picks, to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a deal for Desmond Bane. He was waived by Memphis in July 2025 and signed with the Milwaukee Bucks on July 16, 2025. During the 2025-26 NBA season, he appeared in 35 games off the bench for Milwaukee, averaging 6.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
On February 5, 2026, Anthony was traded to the Phoenix Suns in a three-team deal involving the Chicago Bulls. He was waived by the Suns on February 27, 2026, without appearing in a game for the team. He then continued his career with another NBA franchise as a free agent later that season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Anthony’s career, his 34-point debut for North Carolina stands out as a historic performance, and his back-to-back game-winning three-pointers as a rookie with the Magic signaled his arrival in the NBA. He also led the United States to a gold medal at the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship in St. Catharines, Ontario, earning all-tournament team honors after scoring 18 points in the final against Canada.
Cole Anthony Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Anthony comes from a family with deep roots in professional basketball and the arts. His father, Greg Anthony, was a starting guard on the 1989-90 UNLV national championship team and went on to play 11 NBA seasons before becoming a respected television analyst for NBA TV and Turner Sports. His mother, Crystal McCrary, is an author, attorney, and filmmaker who directed the 2013 Nickelodeon documentary Little Ballers. His stepfather, Raymond McGuire, is a Wall Street banking executive who ran in the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City.
Personal Life
Anthony grew up primarily in Manhattan, New York, where he was raised alongside his younger sister. His parents emphasized humility and accountability, which he has often credited for keeping him grounded amid early basketball success. He is active on social media and has built a strong personal brand through his presence on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.
2025 Season Performance
Anthony’s 2024-25 season with the Orlando Magic was one of his most consistent as a pro, as he embraced a sixth-man role and provided scoring and playmaking off the bench. In April 2025, he played a starring role in the play-in tournament, posting 26 points, six assists, and three rebounds to help Orlando eliminate the Atlanta Hawks and clinch the seventh seed. His efforts helped the Magic return to the playoffs and positioned him as a valuable rotation piece heading into free agency.
After being traded to Memphis and then waived, Anthony signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in July 2025, joining a championship-contending roster led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. He settled into a reserve point guard role and contributed 6.7 points and 3.5 assists per game across 35 appearances in the first half of the 2025-26 season. In February 2026, he was dealt to the Phoenix Suns as part of a three-team trade but was waived before playing, leaving his next move open as the season progressed.
Looking ahead, Anthony remains a free agent with several years of NBA experience and a proven track record as a clutch shooter. His combination of scoring instincts, ball-handling, and playoff experience makes him an attractive option for teams in need of backcourt depth. Whether he returns to a contender or joins a rebuilding squad, his next chapter is likely to come with significant opportunity to play a meaningful role.
