If you haven’t been paying that much attention to Cole Anthony, you wouldn't be alone.. Up to this point, the Orlando Magic rookie isn't the most well-known by most NBA fans. You can blame it on LaMelo Ball and his impressive showing in Charlotte, or on James Wiseman and his surprisingly fast start as the Warriors’ big man.

Even if that may be the case, you can only ignore Anthony and what he brings to the table for so long. Those who would want to get in on this action, especially card collectors, should pay attention to this young player from Orlando before his spotlight shines brighter.

The rookie got his name on the NBA radar in one fell swoop. The Wolves were up by two with 4.6 seconds left on the clock after Jared Vanderbilt missed two free throws from the charity stripe.

With the second miss, the ball went to Anthony, who raced towards their side of the court. And right in front of the Magic’s bench, the rookie let it fly as Malik Beasley was defending him. The three-point shot was good and Orlando escaped with a win over the Timberwolves.

Thanks to this clutch play, Anthony has turned heads towards his direction and gained everyone’s attention. This also applies to the countless fans who are part of a growing card collecting community. That’s why it’s important to know more about this player and what his upside means for everyone’s rookie card investment plans.

Who is Cole Anthony?

With the 15th pick in the 2020 NBA draft, the Orlando Magic selected Cole Anthony from the University of North Carolina. The 6”3’ point guard is the son of NBA player Greg Anthony, and was once considered as one of the top high school prospects in the United States.

During his lone season as Tar Heel, Anthony averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and four assists per game. At the end of the NCAA regular season, Anthony was awarded third-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference (AAC) honors and made a part of the All-Freshman team.

NBA, Cole Anthony, Adam Silver
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Thanks to his college credentials, a lot of scouts took notice. At one point, Anthony was even considered as a potential top-five pick before the 2020 Draft occurred. Unfortunately, Anthony dropped down to the 15th spot, where the Orlando Magic nabbed him with their pick.

 

What is Cole Anthony’s ceiling?

A lot of people consider the Magic rookie to be the steal of this year’s draft. His reputation as a scoring guard comes in handy for Orlando, which is starved for offense from their backcourt during the past few seasons.

Cole Anthony, Magic, Timberwolves

Anthony possesses a good feel for the game, which is very evident in his shot-making abilities. He is also gifted with athleticism and confidence to take the game into his hands, especially during crucial moments. On the other hand, he still has some room to improve when it comes to his decision-making and playmaking skills.

 

Most scouting reports liken Anthony to Collin Sexton, a score-first point guard who is currently thriving in his role as Cleveland’s main star. If Orlando’s rookie develops into a player that resembles the Young Bull, the Magic will certainly get an important piece. In the process, Anthony will give his team another offensive weapon that can be effectively paired with Nikola Vucevic.

 

Why investing in Cole Anthony rookie cards is a good idea

While most fans would pursue cards of higher-ranked prospects, like Ball and Wiseman, there’s an excellent case to be made for Cole Anthony. For starters, Markelle Fultz’s unfortunate ACL injury is his ticket to prominence. After the fourth-year guard went down, Anthony was thrust into the starting lineup as the Magic’s point guard.

2020 NBA Draft Grades Cole Anthony Markelle Fultz Magic

In the seven games Anthony started for Orlando, the rookie scored in double-digits five times. With the return of Evan Fournier into the lineup, Anthony will get more good looks in the backcourt. If he continues to provide offense this way, his minutes will certainly go up and lead to a more prominent role within the Magic’s roster. Keep in mind, though, that he needs to be more efficient on offense while keeping his turnovers to a minimum.

Cole Anthony was actually one of the most highly-touted NBA prospects for the previous draft. However, his NCAA season started off with some inefficient play and got muddled with injuries. The star potential as a potent scorer is clearly there if he can figure it out. He'll have a change to do it on an Orland Magic squad that isn't loaded with All-Stars at the moment.

If Anthony manages to solidify his hold on the starting point guard job, his card prices will definitely trend up. Also, if the Orlando Magic could manage to nab a playoff spot, Cole Anthony could have a chance to propel his value further with some postseason buzz. Be on the lookout for Cole Anthony cards in the coming months and plan out your purchases so you won’t be left out in the cold.