Yet another top 2020 prospect will be sidelined into the new year with an injury, as the University of North Carolina announced today in a press release that freshman point guard Cole Anthony is expected to miss the next four-to-six weeks. According to the school, Anthony underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee to treat a partially torn meniscus.
Anthony is the third player viewed as a probable top-10 pick who has gone down with an injury this month, joining LaMelo Ball (foot) and R.J. Hampton (hip). Like Ball and Hampton, who are both playing in Australia, Anthony intends to return to action before the end of his team’s season, sources tell Jeff Goodman of Stadium (Twitter link).
Anthony averaged 19.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 3.4 APG in his first nine games as a Tar Heel, though he has struggled at times with his efficiency, posting a .368/.355/.679 shooting line.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony notes in his scouting report that Anthony can be a streaky shooter and is more of a scorer than a facilitator for now. However, Givony praises Anthony’s ball-handling ability, athleticism, and effort on defense, ranking him as the No. 4 prospect in the 2020 class.
Anthony is one of a handful of players who should receive consideration for the top pick, along with Ball, Memphis center James Wiseman, and Georgia shooting guard Anthony Edwards.