UNC's Anthony returns after 8-week absence due to meniscus injury

Cole Anthony is back.

North Carolina's standout freshman guard returned to the Tar Heels' lineup for Saturday's game against Boston College.

However, the freshman who had been out since Dec. 8 due to a partially torn meniscus didn't start. Instead, Anthony checked in just over four minutes into the opening half.

Anthony underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee on Dec. 16, and he was projected to miss four-to-six weeks. North Carolina went 4-7 during his absence after beginning the year 6-3.

The Tar Heels star said earlier this week he was eager to return, and the 19-year-old wanted to eradicate talk he would rule himself out for the rest of the year to focus on the NBA draft.

"It's just that people were still trying to have a debate about whether I’m coming back or not," Anthony told The Associated Press on Monday. "I'm like, 'Yo, I’m all in.' I want to play with these guys again. I don't like how I left the court with these dudes.

"I feel like I can give them a lot more than I did. When I'm get back on the court, I'm going to leave everything there."

He's widely expected to be a lottery pick in June's NBA draft. Entering Saturday's contest, Cole is averaging 19.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.9 steals over nine games.