ORLANDO - Monday was an off day, basketball-wise, for the Orlando Magic. They’ll be back on the AdventHealth Training Center court for practice Tuesday, looking to clean some things up following a pair of defeats in Boston.
Still, that didn’t prevent Cole Anthony from stepping into a gym on Monday evening. Except in this case, even though he was probably itching to with how much of a gym rat he is, it wasn’t to work on his game. Rather, it was to lift the spirits of children.
The 6-foot-3 guard, who’s in his fourth season with the Magic, hosted a Christmas party, dubbed “A Cole Christmas,” for children on the James R. Smith Neighborhood Center basketball court that included games, food, raffle prizes and giveaways. The gifts distributed were courtesy of Anthony and Planet Fitness.
“I think it’s really, really important (to give back to the community),” he said. “Me personally, I’ve been blessed my whole life. I was raised by four great parents – I have step-parents too who I look at like my parents – and they’ve just always instilled these values into me. Just always trying to give back to people who aren’t as fortunate as I am. It’s dope that we are able to get this together. I’m so happy how this event turned out.”
Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley came by to assist Anthony in making this party one the kids will never forget.
Mosley has come to all of his players’ community events this holiday season. Around Thanksgiving, in addition to serving and sponsoring a breakfast at the Coalition for the Homeless, he helped distribute turkey meals at events hosted by Markelle Fultz and Wendell Carter Jr. Just last week, he joined Fultz again at the 6-foot-4 guard’s holiday party for Head Start program children.
“I think it’s so great that we can join them in what they are doing in giving back to the community, and just sharing all the blessings with a group of people that support us,” Mosley said. “It’s an unselfish group (Magic players). They care about each other. They care about doing the right thing. They care about giving back. We say it all the time; how much can you give to a group and community that gives so much to us?”
Anthony is known around the NBA for providing a spark off the Magic’s bench. Among reserves, he has, so far, totaled the third-most points and sixth-most assists.
Now, he’s also becoming known for providing a spark in the Central Florida community.
A finalist for last year’s Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award, which goes to the Magic player each year who has dedicated his efforts off the court for the purpose of enhancing other's lives, the 23-year-old is on a mission to help as many children as he can reach their full potential using his social platform and resources.
“It makes it really easy when both me myself and the organization’s values align like this,” he said. “It makes the whole process easy. Obviously, many Magic (staff) came and helped out with this. It’s been dope. I can’t put it into words how awesome this event has been tonight.”
It’s a game-changer when people, like Anthony and Mosley, and organizations, like the Magic and Planet Fitness, team up in the community.
“It’s incredibly important,” Planet Fitness Senior Vice President of Marketing Scott Breault said. “We are very fortunate in what we do and who we do it for, and we have to realize there are members of the community that aren’t as fortunate. It’s always important to give back and partner with like-minded organizations like the Magic and like Cole and his team to do some really great things and put some smiles on people’s faces.”
