Magic pick up options on Cole Anthony, two others / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports Credit Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Cole Anthony, whose scoring average rose every month as a rookie in the 2020-21 season, will remain with the Orlando Magic for at least two more seasons after the club picked up his third-year option Tuesday.

The Magic also picked up the third-year option of two other players entering their second NBA season, R.J. Hampton and Chuma Okeke.

Anthony, a 21-year-old guard who was the 15th overall pick in the 2020 draft, averaged 10 points in his first five games for Orlando in December.

After joining the starting lineup in January, he averaged 11.1 points, and then he put up 12 points per game in February, 14.1 in March, and 16.3 in April.

Overall, he put up 12.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game in 47 contests (34 starts). Anthony was Orlando's leader or co-leader in points six times and in assists a club-best 18 times. He missed 25 midseason games due to a rib injury.

Hampton, a 20-year-old guard who was drafted nine picks after Anthony, began his rookie year with the Denver Nuggets before getting dealt to the Magic in March. He wound up with season averages of 6.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 51 games (one start).

Okeke, a 23-year-old forward who was selected 16th overall by Orlando in 2019, made his NBA debut last season. In March, he became a regular starter and put up 7.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 45 games (19 starts).

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