2020 NBA Draft - Brew Hoop Community Draft Board: Cole Anthony Plops Into 13

We all know that with the frustration that has amounted from Eric Bledsoe’s postseason play the last few years, there’s a very legitimate chance that the Milwaukee Bucks could go the route of selecting a point guard in the 2020 NBA Draft. One of those options? North Carolina Point Guard Cole Anthony.

A talented scorer in college, Anthony’s 18.5 PPG in his lone freshman year in Chapel Hill will fit soundly in the Association. He’s definitely a score-first point guard, as he uses his speed and agility to create sound opportunities. One of his most impressive characteristics is the first step off the bounce, which creates a slew of opportunities to find a shot.

Like Bledsoe, Anthony has a high tendency to finish around the rim. He’s also able to finish with both hands, which is always welcomed in a point guard. He’s a player that likes to run fast as well, as he can score in both isolation and transition. With the style of play that the Bucks exhibit and with Giannis Antetokounmpo out on the floor, Anthony’s ability to score while catching the defense is sleeping would be a solid addition.

Anthony averaged just a tick under six rebounds per game as a freshman at UNC (5.7 to be exact), which exemplifies every bit of his 6’3” frame. He’s been known to be able to contain dribble penetration and even produced some clutch steals for the Tar Heels last season. His defensive prowess should grow as he gains more experience, and could really flourish under Milwaukee’s system.

As for weaknesses, there is some doubt casted about his ability to be a team leader. Obviously, he would fall under the wings of Giannis, Khris Middleton, and others on the Bucks. This also reminds me of this quote from Khris Middleton two years ago. However, I sort of view this as him being a hot shot freshman on a UNC team. You’d like to think that a sense of humility will develop over time, and I’d expect that to occur.

Dove-tailing off that, Anthony can also sometimes be too overconfident out on the floor. The aggressive nature that he boasts can sometimes backfire, as he’s been prone to forcing contested shots and making bad decisions on the floor. This can lead to poor shooting (38% FG) and a dip in facilitating the basketball, as he just averaged 4 APG.

Despite some of his weaknesses, Anthony is definitely a standout prospect on a North Carolina that faltered during the chaotic year that was 2019-20. While he does have some weaknesses, they do seem to be ones that could be ironed out at the professional level. With Milwaukee’s uncertainty at the point guard position, it wouldn’t surprise me if they pulled the trigger on him if he was still available.

Let’s keep going with the voting:

This poll will close at midnight, October 31. SPOOOOOOOKY!!!!!

Brew Hoop Draft Board Rankings

1. Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
2. LaMelo Ball, PG, Illawarra Hawks
3. James Wiseman, C, Memphis
4. Deni Avdija, SF, Israel
5. Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn
6. Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC
7. Killian Hayes, PG, France
8. Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton
9. Devin Vassell, SG, Florida State
10. Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State
11. Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt
12. Tyrell Terry, PG, Stanford
13. Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina