The Bob Cousy Award is awarded annually to the college basketball’s top point guard, but apparently one writer thinks UNC signee Cole Anthony is not a contender for the honor.
In an article listing the top contenders for the award, NCAA.com correspondent Andy Katz ranks Michigan State senior Cassius Winston, Marquette senior Markus Howard, and Duke sophomore Tre Jones as the favorites to be named as the nation’s top point guard.
Curiously omitted from the 25-player list is incoming UNC freshman Cole Anthony, who was ranked as the No. 4 overall player in the 2019 recruiting class and the top-ranked combo guard.
It’s not as if the list omits all freshmen either. Arizona signee Nico Mannion and Ohio State signee DJ Carton, both of whom were ranked below Anthony, were listed as contenders for the award.
The fact that Katz did not list Anthony as a contender was not lost to fans.
No respect for @The_ColeAnthony
— Scott Zwinge Jr. (@Scottypeep) June 3, 2019
This gotta be a joke if @The_ColeAnthony not on the list. But thanks for the extra motivation. pic.twitter.com/bj3OZXPMM6
— Va757elite (@naasirkareem) June 3, 2019
Yo @TheAndyKatz how you have Nico over Cole??? And Cole not even in the top 10??? Do you watch basketball??
— Alex Tinsley (@Alex_Tinsley15) June 3, 2019
Anthony was also made aware of the list, with a social media account joking that perhaps Anthony had decided to take up a different sport.
I guess I did🤷🏽♂️ https://t.co/086vOJcOGB
— Cole Anthony (@The_ColeAnthony) June 4, 2019
Anthony is expected to take over Coby White’s role as the leader of UNC’s offense following White’s departure to the NBA. Anthony chose the Tar Heels on ESPN over finalists Oregon, Georgetown, and Notre Dame.
As a testament to his abilities, Anthony racked up MVP honors at the McDonald’s All-American game (14 points, seven rebounds, eight assists) and co-MVP honors at the Jordan Brand Classic (25 points, six rebounds, six assists). Anthony also scored 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds to help lead Team USA to a win over Team World at the 2019 Nike Hoop Summit.
The Bob Cousy Award has been presented 16 times since its creation in 2004 and North Carolina has fielded the greatest number of winners. Raymond Felton was honored as the nation’s top point guard during the 2004-05 season, Ty Lawson won during the 2008-09 season, and Kendall Marshall won during the 2011-12 season.
Um, he’s on the Jerry West Award list for SG for some reason (as is Markell Johnson), I’d guess you can’t be on 2?