Overview
- Melbourne United announced Wednesday that Cole Anthony has signed a confirmed one-year contract to play the 2026/27 NBL season and is expected to arrive in Melbourne in the coming weeks.
- The 26-year-old was the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and played six NBA seasons, most notably five with the Orlando Magic before a recent stretch of trades, a buyout and a brief stint with the Milwaukee Bucks.
- United called Anthony the club’s “final piece” and the team plans to make him its starting point guard under Jacob Chance, who said Anthony’s pace, finishing and vision fit the club’s style.
- Veteran teammate Joe Ingles and club statements say Anthony’s scoring and playmaking should open space for shooters and give United consistent ball-handling minutes that were missing after losing Tyson Walker.
- The signing gives Anthony a one-year chance to rebuild his role and form in a high-minute leadership spot and gives Melbourne a finished roster ahead of the NBL27 season, which begins in September.