The Orlando Magic is coming off one of the best regular seasons in over a decade. The Magic ended their regular season with 47 wins (13 more than last season), which is the best they have performed since 2010-11, when they finished fourth in the Eastern Conference and won 52 games. While the obvious standouts have been Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, and Jalen Suggs, their sixth man, Cole Anthony, has been a silent contributor to their impressive turnaround this season.

Born on May 15, 2000, to Crystal McCrary and Greg Anthony, a former NBA player who played 11 seasons in the league, Cole Anthony started as a baseball player before he found his passion for basketball. Anthony showcased his talents early on, earning a five-star athlete rating in high school and establishing himself as one of the best point guard prospects in the nation. Then, as the U-18 Team USA clinched its sixth consecutive title at the FIBA Championships in 2018, the guard stood as a proud contributor.

Cole Anthony’s impressive high school run was succeeded by his commitment to play basketball for North Carolina. Following his one-and-done year at the University of North Carolina, Anthony declared for the 2020 NBA Draft, to be selected by the Orlando Magic with the 15th overall pick.

Cole Anthony’s on and off court contributions

Over the years, Cole Anthony has carved out a steady role on the team. The 23-year-old has been crucial in helping the Magic overcome their 3-year playoff drought. During the 2023–24 season, Anthony averaged 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on 43.5% shooting from the field and 33.8% from the deep in 81 games this season. These results are precisely what Orlando had hoped for when they offered Anthony an extension before the 2023–24 season.

Following a four-year $15.89 million rookie-scale contract, the Orlando Magic signed Cole Anthony to a three-year, $39 million extension. This would mean the star guard earns $5.5 million this season and will become an unrestricted free agent in either the 2026 or 2027 offseason, contingent upon Orlando’s decision to exercise their team option in the final season. While that alone might stand impressive, Cole hasn’t deterred from making waves off the court.

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Last month Anthony saw himself adorning the 2023–24 Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award for all that he has given back to the community. The 23-year-old was out volunteering in Central Florida during his time off the court that brought him recognition. Among his many community endeavors this season were providing tickets to Magic games to underprivileged youth, sponsoring lunch at a Parramore school for the entire year, buying Thanksgiving groceries for 50 families at the Ivey Lane Community Center, hosting a Christmas holiday party, and distributing gifts at the James R. Smith Neighborhood Center.

Now with that in place, the question is whether Cole Anthony can help his team win their first playoff series since 2010. The last time the Magics fetched the playoff run was in 2011-12. However, breaking the streak tonight, the team kicks off the playoffs against the Cavaliers.