You only play one year of high school basketball. You don’t make the cut for a college team in Canada. You get overlooked in the draft. You end up as the starting centre for the Miami Heat! You win not one but two NBA titles and get to wear the ring saying NBA Champions 2011-2012 and NBA Champions 2012-2013. This is the dream story of Joel Vincent Anthony.

Born August 9, 1982 in Montreal, Anthony did not play hoops until his final season at Selwyn House School where he was coached by Olga Hyrack. “When I was younger, basketball was like swimming in Canada – not many people played it," said the 6-foot-9 Anthony in an interview. “Hockey is the big sport there, but football was my first love. During my last year in high school, I started getting serious about basketball and developing my skills.”

Following graduation he tried out for the Dawson College Blues in his hometown only to be cut. “I used getting cut as motivation,” said Anthony, nicknamed “Big J.” and also “Docta”.  “That’s the summer I really honed in and began working hard trying to improve as a player. I felt like if I really put my mind to it and get good coaching, I’d be able to get on the court and compete. That’s been my entire focus ever since.” The focus led him to Florida’s Pensacola Junior College where he made first team all conference 2003-2004 averaging nine points, seven rebounds and nearly four blocks per game.

“My coach there was the biggest influence of my life,” said Anthony of Pirates head coach Paul Swanson. “I really matured and grew up under him, both in the classroom and on the court. There was such a big jump from junior college to Division I, but when I transferred to UNLV, I felt like I was ready because of my two years at Pensacola Junior College.”

Pensacola coach Paul Swanson told Frozen Hoops that Anthony was a true success story. “He came to us a raw talent who hadn’t played much structured basketball,” said Swanson. “He was always a terrific young man but struggled initially in the classroom mostly due to organizational skills and time management issues. As a result he was ineligible second semester of his freshman year.  We kept him on scholarship and he really put things together and had a tremendous spring and summer both in the classroom and on the court.  His mother was always very supportive and that helped him a lot. He worked incredibly hard, ran the floor extremely well and was a natural shot blocker. Joel was naturally strong, but worked very hard to improve his flexibility, agility, and offensive skills."  

Joel left Pensacola Junior College an all Panhandle Conference Player with scholarship offers to Nebraska, Penn State and UNLV. He chose UNLV and had an excellent career there earning many honors his senior year and graduating before being picked up by the Miami Heat.  Joel’s attitude, disposition, and work ethic are his strongest suit.  He is a joy to coach and a great teammate.  He has an opportunity to enjoy a long career in the NBA.

It was at the University of Nevada Las Vegas that Anthony gained a national spotlight assisting the Runnin’ Rebels to a 30-7 season and being named Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In 68 games at UNLV he averaged 3.7 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.31 blocks while shooting 57.3% from the field. He finished second in UNLV history with 157 career blocks.

Despite these impressive stats he was overlooked during the 2007 NBA Draft. He was drafted though by the Dodge City Legend of t he United States Basketball League No. 9 in the 2007 draft and No. 34 by the Atlanta Krunk in the 2007 Continental Basketball Association draft.   “I actually didn’t expect to get drafted. Looking into it, I didn’t know what to expect. I was just going to work hard for everything I got and try to make the most of it. I was fortunate enough to get some looks (he played in the 2007 Pepsi Summer League) and landed on a great opportunity (signing as a free agent July 3, 2007 with Miami Heat).”

Then on November 28, 2007 he made his first start of the season against the Phoenix Suns (107-92 win) and former Canadian national team star and two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash. “I was excited about it at first, but all of it eventually went away. I have to work even harder now that I have much more responsibility. It definitely feels good to start, but I still have to stay focused.”

Anthony played 24 games for the Heat in 2007-2008 logging 498 minutes for 20.8 minutes per game while hauling in 93 rebounds, blocking 31 shots and averaging 3.5 points per game. His salary was $427,163. He also had a cup of coffee with Iowa Energy (NBADL) in 2008 playing three games. He now plays for the Detroit Pistons having left the Heat in 2013 for the Boston Celtic where he wore green for only one season. His career averages prior to the 2014-2015 NBA season were 2.3 ppg and 3.0 rpg.

Anthony first joined the Canadian National men’s program in 2006. He averaged eight points and rebounds per game along with a block in 24.3 minutes per game during Canada’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2008 and 9.5 points and 5.0 rebounds and 1.30 blocks in 23.7 minutes per game at the 2009 FIBA World Championships.Canada finished 4th and in a game against Brazil he had 17 points and 8 boards. He also wore the Maple Leaf in FIBA Worlds in 2010 and 2013.

Insight and research provided by Curtis J. Phillips

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