Does Chris Mack have a chance to land the no. 1 player in the country?

One of the players who’s name is consistently in the mix as the top player in the 2019 class narrowed his list yesterday. Did Cole Anthony include Chris Mack and the Cards?

If you don’t know the name Cole Anthony, do yourself a favor and hit ctrl + t and search the web for him right now. Prepare to hear yourself mutter the words, “damn we have to get him.’

This summer Anthony has been the most talked about player in the class of 2019 and a prospect that literally every single coach is now pursuing for their roster.

After putting up over 23 points per game as a junior at Molloy, Anthony upped the ante this summer, averaging a league best 25.6 points per game, along with 7.2 assists, playing for the PSA Cardinals on the Nike EYBL circuit.

Since then, the offers have flowed, and coaches have begun to put together their best recruiting pitches to the son of former UNLV and NBA point guard, Greg Anthony. His strong performance took him from being a top 10-20 player in the class of 2019, to #2 overall in the 247 Sports rankings and even have him in the discussion for the best player in the country along with Vernon Carey Jr. and James Wiseman.

While many prospects are loud with their recruiting, falling in love with the process, Anthony has been a polar opposite. Much like Romeo Langford last year, not much is known about what schools Anthony has favored or even has interest in, as he’s kept his head down and put all of his time and effort into getting better this season.

Last night was the first time that fans and coaches alike got a peek at who ultimately could end up landing the services of the 6’3 combo guard when he cut his list down to 12 schools. Included, surprisingly enough, Chris Mack and the Louisville Cardinals.

Also included were Kansas, Duke, Kentucky, Wake Forest, Oregon, Villanova, Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, and Miami.

Chris Mack and his staff have watched Anthony play several times this summer, even traveling to the PSA Cardinals/NY Jayhawks combine in West Chester, PA this past June.

What we know thus far is that Anthony has taken unofficial visits to North Carolina, Miami, and Wake Forest within the past month. The list will likely see another cut before Cole Anthony begins his season playing for Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, VA, with visits put in place shortly thereafter. When asked what schools he may visit he simply said, “there’s not one particular school right now,.”

The question remains, does Louisville have a chance to land Anthony?

At this point, it’s too early to tell. However, being in the top 12 for a player the caliber of Anthony just months after taking over at a program that has been dragged through the mud, should only encourage the fan base and show everyone what Chris Mack is capable of.

If/when Chris Mack and his staff get Anthony on campus for a visit, then we can really begin to celebrate the Louisville Cardinals having a chance to land a top 3 player in the country for the first time since Samardo Samuels way back in 2008.

Being in the top 12 for a player the caliber of Anthony, just months after taking over a program that has been dragged through the mud, time and time again, should only encourage the fan base and show everyone what Chris Mack is capable of.

It’s really not hard to see why coaches are desperate to pursue Cole Anthony. His elite/lethal combination of scoring, and passing make him the next great college point guard. What makes Anthony so special, in my opinion, is his feel for the game.

Coming from an NBA family, it’s easy to tell that much of what he knows and displays out on the court was taught from a former NBA starting point guard. At times it seems as if Cole Anthony is steps ahead of opposing defenses, making them look silly with his ability to get anywhere he wants on the floor, while dropping dimes that no one sees coming.

Chris Mack and company should be applauded for their work in the pursuit of Cole Anthony, but unless he commits to the Cards it doesn’t mean much. What it says, at least to me, is that the top players are listening to Chris Mack, something I’m not convinced was the case with Rick Pitino. He’s a players coach with a special ability to speak the language of his recruits, a refreshing change of pace for Louisville basketball.

As if you didn’t already know, the future is bright for our beloved Cardinals, with or without Cole Anthony. But a year with the top player in the country, sounds damn good to me.