UNC’s Cole Anthony explains why he wants to return so badly
North Carolina freshman guard Cole Anthony said he’s feeling close to 100 percent, and he hopes to be back on the court soon.
“As soon as I get cleared, I’m hopping back on that court,” Anthony said Monday in his first comments to the media in more than a month. “I’ll tell you that.”
Anthony has missed the Tar Heels’ last 11 games since undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee to treat a partial tear in his meniscus on Dec. 16.
The Tar Heels are 4-7 without Anthony, but have won their last two games, including a 75-65 victory over N.C. State on Monday night.
When UNC announced his surgery, the school said it would take four to six weeks for him to recover. Monday was six weeks since the procedure.
UNC coach Roy Williams has said they would be cautious with his return.
“It hurts me not to be on the court with all these dudes on the team, all my brothers, but I’ve got to trust the process,” Anthony said. “Can’t rush it. Don’t want to go in there and just get hurt again.
“So I’m going to listen to our strength staff, my trainer. They know what they are talking about. They’re trained professionals, so I’m not going to question anything they say.”
On Jan. 21, Anthony tweeted that he “can’t wait to get back on the court with my brothers.”
Anthony said he decided to post that tweet because he was bothered that people were debating whether he should return or shut it down for the rest of the season so he doesn’t risk further injury. Anthony is a projected lottery pick in the 2020 NBA draft.
“I’m like ‘yo, I’m all in,’” Anthony said. “I want to play with these guys, again. I don’t like how I left the court with these dudes. I feel like I could give them a lot more than I did.”
Before his injury, Anthony was the Tar Heels’ leading scorer. He was averaging 19.1 points per game, 6.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He was a huge part of the Tar Heels’ offense and they have struggled without him.
Anthony has not practiced since his injury. He says he’s been in the weight room, and rehabbing. UNC hosts Boston College on Saturday. But Anthony stopped short of saying whether he’d play then.
“Maybe, if I’m cleared,” Anthony said. “It’s really not up to me at this point. As soon as they say I’m good to go, I’m good to go.”
This story was originally published January 27, 2020 at 10:52 PM with the headline "UNC’s Cole Anthony explains why he wants to return so badly."
