Melbourne United have completed a major addition ahead of the 2026-27 NBL season by signing former NBA first-round pick Cole Anthony.
The Australian club officially announced that Anthony has agreed to a one-year contract after spending his NBA career with the Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks.
"I'm super excited to begin this journey with Melbourne United," Anthony said.
"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."
Anthony brings six seasons of NBA experience
Anthony arrives in Melbourne after playing 367 NBA games and averaging 12.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists over his career.
The 26-year-old guard was selected by the Magic with the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft after spending one season at the University of North Carolina.
Anthony averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists across 22 college appearances, earning spots on the All-ACC Third Team and All-ACC Freshman Team.
He later established himself as a regular member of Orlando's rotation and recorded a career-high 37 points against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Melbourne expects Anthony to elevate offense
Cole Anthony
Credit Dustin Satloff/Getty Images/AFP - Scanpix
Melbourne head coach Jacob Chance said the club targeted an elite guard capable of leading the offense while also improving the players around him.
"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 said.
"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."
Chance also emphasized that Anthony's main priority throughout their conversations was competing for a championship.
"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," the coach added.
"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 reunites with Joe Ingles
Joe Ingles
Joe Ingles
Anthony will reunite with former Magic teammate Joe Ingles, who also joined Melbourne United.
The two appeared in 75 games together during the 2023-24 season with the Magic, and Ingles expects the former first-round pick to become one of the NBL's most dangerous offensive players.
"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."
Ingles believes Anthony's ability to draw defensive attention will create opportunities for the rest of Melbourne's roster.
"He's going to command so much attention from the defense, and that's going to open things up for everyone on the court with him," Ingles added.
"He's a great guy, he's got a big personality, and I think United fans are going to love him."