ORLANDO - Moments after the Orlando Magic made him the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, which is now nearly 3 ½ years ago, Cole Anthony was asked during his first ever press conference as a pro how he describes himself as a basketball player.
Before even bringing up all the skill-related stuff, the 6-foot-3 guard out of the University of North Carolina highlighted something very endearing and noble about himself.
“I want to see every single one of my teammates succeed,” he said back then. “As much as I want to see myself succeed, I really wish nothing but the best for everyone around me.”
That reply clearly came straight from his heart, and as we’ve learned about the now 23-year-old over the last few years, his heart is made of gold.
Always the one to light up a room with his sense of humor and liveliness, that benevolence is something the Magic organization greatly appreciates about him, which is why on Saturday during the fourth annual Orlando Wine Festival & Auction, he was named the winner of the 2023-24 Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award for all that he’s done to help others in the community reach their full potential.
“It’s really dope,” Anthony said. “I’ve always been very blessed, very fortunate. I have a wonderful family, wonderful parents who have just instilled in me these values. To whom much is given, much is expected. For me, I’ve always tried to give back – even from a young age.”
Since 1995, the DeVos family has honored a player who has dedicated his efforts off the court for the purpose of enhancing other’s lives (due to the pandemic, the CEA was not awarded for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons). A panel of representatives selects the player and based this year's selection on the last year of the player's community work. In addition to receiving the award, Anthony will be granted $20,000 from the DeVos Family Foundations for him to donate to the charity of his choice.
Anthony has consistently volunteered his time off the court and to the Central Florida community supporting the Magic’s mission to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. In addition to supporting the Magic’s initiatives, Anthony has his own foundation, 50Ways Foundation, and also assists the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) and the NBA in their community goals as well.
Among Anthony’s many community endeavors this season were providing tickets to Magic games for underprivileged youth; sponsoring a lunch at a Parramore school for the entire year; purchasing Thanksgiving groceries for 50 families of the Ivey Lane Community Center; and hosting a Christmas holiday party and distributing gifts at the James R. Smith Neighborhood Center.
Past winners of the award include Nick Anderson (1995-96), Penny Hardaway (1996-97), Darrell Armstrong (1997-98, 1999-00), Grant Hill (2000-01), Monty Williams (2001-2002), Tracy McGrady (2002-03), Pat Garrity (2003-04), Bo Outlaw (1998-99, 2005-06, 2006-07), Dwight Howard (2004-05; 2007-08; 2008-09; 2009-10; 2010-11; 2011-12, co-winner w/Redick), JJ Redick (2011-12, co-winner with Howard), Jameer Nelson (2012-13), Tobias Harris (2013-14; 2014-15, co-winner with Oladipo), Victor Oladipo (2014-15, co-winner with Harris; 2015-16), Elfrid Payton (2016-17), Arron Afflalo (2017-18), Aaron Gordon (2018-19, co-winner with Isaac), Jonathan Isaac (2018-19, co-winner with Gordon), Markelle Fultz (2021-22), Wendell Carter Jr. (2022-23), and Cole Anthony (2023-24).
For the first time in franchise history, there are four winners of this award on the team at the same time. That makes Anthony very proud, as it shows that this is a group that shares many of the same goals, both on and off the court.
“That kind of tells you about this team – we have so many selfless dudes on this team,” he said. “It’s bigger than you and me. That’s how everyone on this team looks (at it) – whether it’s on the court, off the court.”
The Orlando Wine Festival and Auction, which debuted in 2019 and is the Magic’s signature fundraiser for the OMYF, began Friday with exclusive vintner dinners. Then on Saturday, the wine and food festival was held. It included live and e-auctions, live music, local and celebrity chefs, wineries, food pavilions, and appearances from Magic players, coaches and legends. To cap the weekend off, the Magic will host the Detroit Pistons on Sunday at 6 p.m.
When NBA players get involved in their communities, it makes a massive difference. Not only are they able to use their resources and platforms to assist others, but they also are creating more awareness about all that’s happening in the area.
“Having players get involved from a contribution side is really pretty special,” said Magic Chairman/Governor Dan DeVos. “The players of today are more sensitive and aware of the needs that are out there. They are more aware of their responsibility and their ability to make a difference. They are contributing, not only (with their) time, but of course a lot of their talent…I give them a great deal of respect for that.”
In August 2023, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation announced it will distribute grants totaling $1 million in three ways – a summer grant cycle, a winter grant cycle and microgrants. Thus far, the summer grant cycle and the first set of microgrants have been announced (microgrants are distributed quarterly). This marks the 16th time the OMYF has distributed $1 million to the Central Florida community since OMYF's inception in 1990.
The Magic and the DeVos family are committed to making a difference in Central Florida. Each year, the Magic gives more than $2 million to Central Florida by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise and grants. At the heart of the Magic’s charitable efforts is the work done by the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation.
“For us at the Magic, it’s incredibly important that we give back to the community that gives so much to us,” Magic CEO Alex Martins said. “They support us all season long, and for the 35 years that we’ve been in existence. We feel it’s our responsibility to be a leader in the community, to give back to our community, and to help build our community.”
The OMYF is committed to helping children in Central Florida realize their full potential, especially those most at-risk, by supporting nonprofit organizations offering youth-based programs in the areas of education, housing/homelessness, the arts and health programs focused on preventing childhood obesity.
Over the last 34 years, more than $29 million has been distributed to local nonprofit community organizations through the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation. The OMYF raises community dollars annually through donations, auctions and events such as the OMYF Open Golf Tournament and the Orlando Wine Festival and Auction.