Anthony gives Ingles hilarious nickname | 00:30
It is officially one of the biggest signings of the NBL off-season, with Melbourne United securing former NBA guard Cole Anthony for the 2026-27 campaign.
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The addition of the 26-year-old is significant not only because of his NBA resume, but because he arrives in the NBL at the peak of his career. While many former NBA players have traditionally joined the league in the latter stages of their careers, Anthony is only now entering his prime, giving United one of the most talented rosters on paper heading into the new season.
Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic chases a loose ball during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic chases a loose ball during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
The 6’2” guard, who was born in Portland, Oregon, was selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic after a standout freshman season at North Carolina.
Basketball runs in the Anthony family. His father, Greg Anthony, played more than 850 NBA games between 1991 and 2002, representing the New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, Vancouver Grizzlies, Seattle Supersonics, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks. Greg’s best season came with Vancouver in 1995-96, when he averaged 14.0 points and 6.9 assists per game.
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Across six NBA seasons, Cole Anthony established himself as an explosive scoring guard, spending the majority of his career with Orlando before finishing last season with the Milwaukee Bucks.
His strongest campaign came in his second NBA season, when he averaged 16.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.
Earlier this off-season, Anthony was included in the blockbuster trade that sent him, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and four unprotected first-round draft picks to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Desmond Bane. However, before he ever suited up for Memphis, Anthony reached a buyout agreement and later signed with Milwaukee.
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Now, the former NBA first-round pick is set to begin a new chapter in Australia.
Speaking after his signing was announced, Anthony said he was eager to join Melbourne United and compete for a championship.
“I’m super excited to begin this journey with Melbourne United,” Anthony said.
Cole Anthony #50 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 27, 2026. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Source: getty
“This is a great opportunity to continue growing as a player and compete for a championship.
“I’m ready to get to work and can’t wait to represent the club and meet the fans!”
For first-year head coach Jacob Chance, Anthony was the final piece of the puzzle, completing a roster that shapes as one of the strongest in the competition.
“In this last spot, we wanted an elite guard with the ability to help lead our offense with his scoring ability, who makes his teammates better, while also being a really good person off the court, and Cole Anthony checks every one of those boxes,” Chance explained.
“His pace of play, his strength finishing around the rim, his vision, his versatility playing off the ball as a shooter, his willingness to get down in a stance and defend, all of that makes him the perfect guard for this team.
NBL club Melbourne United assistant coach Jacob Chance. Picture: Supplied/MU MediaSource: Supplied
“In my conversations with him, it’s been very clear that his primary focus is winning, and I’m confident that his best basketball is still ahead of him so coming to the NBL we expect him to elevate his game to a new level, in-turn lifting everyone around him.
“This is a huge moment for our club. I already can’t wait to see him in a United jersey inside John Cain Arena.”
Anthony’s arrival also reunites him with veteran Joe Ingles, with the pair having played together at the Orlando Magic during the 2023-24 NBA season.
Their relationship became well known after Anthony jokingly referred to the veteran forward as “Joe Ingles and his grandchildren” during a post-game press conference in November 2023, highlighting the close bond they developed in Orlando.
Joe Ingles #7 and Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic talking during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 27, 2024. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)Source: getty
That familiarity should help Anthony’s transition, not only into a new team, but also a new league and country.
Ingles believes United has secured one of the NBL’s marquee signings.
“Cole is an elite scorer, elite competitor, and I think he’s going to have a big impact here in the NBL,” Ingles said.
“I think a point guard in this league is very important, and we’ve got a hell of a local point guard with Shea Ili, so adding in Cole with his pace, his ability to score at a high level, it’s going to be a handful for other teams.
“We’ve got a really unselfish team, and I think he adds to that. He’s going to command so much attention from the defence, and that’s going to open things up for everyone on the court with him.
Joe Ingles #7 and Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic high five during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 21, 2024. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)Source: getty
“He’s a great guy, he’s got a big personality, and I think United fans are going to love him.”
Anthony is expected to arrive in Melbourne in the coming weeks, with his signing completing United’s roster for the 2026-27 NBL season.
Anthony is set to arrive in Melbourne in the coming weeks to join his new teammates.
Melbourne United’s potential depth chart for the 2026-2027 season.
PG: Cole Anthony (Import) / Shea Ili / Sean Macdonald (NRP)
SG: Chris Goulding / Tom Wilson / Christian D’Angelo (DP)
SF: Luke Travers / Joe Ingles / Malith Machar
PF: Sam Waardenburg / Kyle Bowen / Jensen Bradtke (DP)
C: Josh Oduro (Import) / Fabijan Krslovic / Harry Neilson (DP)