Same Number. Same Name. Same Fire: Cole Anthony Wears Father Greg Anthony’s No. 50 to Write a New Bucks Legacy

Cole Anthony is more than just another new face on the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster. He’s a name and number resurrecting echoes from a different era. The 24-year-old point guard is suiting up in green and cream with No. 50 stitched across his back—an unmistakable nod to his father, former NBA veteran Greg Anthony, who briefly wore that very number during his 2002 stint with the Bucks. But this isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about continuation. About legacy. About something deeper than stats, deeper than style.

This is basketball’s version of a family heirloom, passed not in jewelry or inheritance, but in hustle and hardwood.

From Father to Son

To understand the gravity of this moment, you need to rewind more than two decades. Greg Anthony, then a seasoned point guard nearing the end of a solid 11-year NBA career, landed in Milwaukee as a backup during the 2001-02 season. His role was modest, his playing time limited, but for the Anthony household, it meant something. A young Cole—just a toddler at the time—watched from the sidelines as his father dribbled and defended with quiet dignity in the twilight of his career.

Today, that toddler is a grown man, and his return to Milwaukee isn’t just poetic—it’s symbolic.

Cole Anthony signing with the Bucks this offseason marked a pivotal move for the former UNC Tar Heel and Orlando Magic standout. Known for his burst off the dribble, fiery competitiveness, and creative scoring, Cole brings a jolt of energy to a Milwaukee backcourt looking to evolve. His decision to wear No. 50 wasn’t made lightly.

“I wanted to wear something that meant more than just a number,” Cole said during his introductory press conference. “That was my dad’s number here. It wasn’t for long, but it meant something to him—and it means everything to me.”

More Than a Tribute

The Anthony name carries weight in NBA circles. Greg was never the flashiest player, but his tough defense, basketball IQ, and leadership carved him a respected place across several franchises—from the Knicks to the Blazers to the Grizzlies and finally the Bucks. Now Cole steps into that legacy—not to mimic it, but to build on it.

His journey, however, has already taken a distinct path. After being drafted 15th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, Cole quickly made a name for himself. His rookie year was marked by buzzer-beaters and highlight plays. Despite inconsistencies, especially on defense, he showed flashes of star potential.

Injuries and roster competition slowed his rise in Orlando, but his talent never disappeared. The Bucks, needing an infusion of youth and scoring depth in their backcourt, saw in Anthony what many others might have missed: a fiery competitor ready for a second act.

A Bucks Rebirth

Cole arrives in Milwaukee during a critical window. The Bucks are a team in transition—not rebuilding, but recalibrating. With Giannis Antetokounmpo still in his prime and Damian Lillard commanding attention in the backcourt, the Bucks are championship contenders needing the right support cast.

Anthony’s fit could be electric. His quickness and shot creation provide a spark off the bench—or even in spurts alongside Lillard in dual-guard sets. Milwaukee’s offense, under new leadership, emphasizes pace and spacing. Cole thrives in those conditions.

But beyond X’s and O’s, there’s an emotional pull that fans are already embracing. The return of “Anthony, No. 50” to the court at Fiserv Forum carries more than nostalgic novelty—it carries the potential of a new beginning for a franchise still searching for the perfect blend of youth and experience.

A Bond Forged in the Game

Cole and Greg’s relationship has long been rooted in basketball. Growing up, Cole was taught the finer points of the game not in clinics, but in living rooms and gymnasiums with a father who lived it.

“Everything I know about work ethic, about staying ready, about respecting the game—I got from him,” Cole has said. “Even when I was hurt or struggling, he reminded me that this game gives back what you put in.”

Greg, now an analyst with CBS Sports, has always kept a respectful distance when it comes to his son’s career. But this new chapter has clearly stirred something in him.

“To see Cole wearing that number again, and to do it in Milwaukee where I wore it… that’s special,” Greg said in a recent interview. “I always told him to make his own path. But it’s humbling to see him bring our stories together like this.”

A Legacy Rewritten in Real Time

Legacy in sports is often reduced to trophies and records. But sometimes, legacy is a little boy watching his father play, dreaming of his own shot. Sometimes it’s a jersey number, worn not for fashion or superstition, but as an act of homage.

Cole Anthony is not Greg Anthony. Their games are different, their personalities even more so. But the thread that ties them is undeniable.

Cole’s fire and flair are distinct. His emphatic dunks, animated interviews, and willingness to take the last shot have already built him a loyal fanbase. Milwaukee now offers the ideal canvas for the next phase of his artistry. With fewer expectations and more veteran structure, Cole has a chance to not just recreate his early Magic moments—but redefine them entirely.

Milwaukee’s Embrace

Fans in Milwaukee have quickly warmed to the Anthony story. Social media lit up with comparisons, side-by-side photos of father and son in the same number. Jerseys with “ANTHONY 50” have begun surfacing across local stores.

But more than the novelty, fans see in Cole something real: a player who cares.

“I’m not here just to be part of the roster,” Cole said. “I’m here to compete, to win, and to honor this jersey the way my dad would.”

That hunger might be Cole’s greatest weapon. In a league often focused on individual stardom, he brings a legacy mindset—one rooted in family, sacrifice, and the long game.

A Story Still Unfolding

There’s no telling how this chapter will end. Injuries, rotations, and the cruel unpredictability of the NBA can derail even the most poetic narratives. But for now, something undeniably powerful is happening in Milwaukee.

A father once ran this floor in No. 50. Now, a son storms onto it, ready to leave his own imprint.

This isn’t just about Greg and Cole Anthony. It’s about every fan who remembers a parent’s love for the game, every young athlete who dreams of walking in familiar footsteps, and every legacy waiting for its next verse.

Same number.
Same name.
Same fire.

In Milwaukee, history doesn’t just repeat. It rises.