His friend Joe Toussaint, who played at Cardinal Hayes before
going on to Iowa and West Virginia, took him to Dyckman Park when
he was in seventh or eighth grade.
Playing against older and stronger players in a group where
anyone could join, Anthony felt like he was not as good as the
others.
He said he did not play well that day, but the experience
mattered more than his numbers. It was the first time he really
felt like he did not belong, stepping into the tough place that has
shaped many New York guards. That moment was when he started to
understand what NYC basketball is really about.
Why New York Point Guards Are Different
Anthony didn't hesitate when asked about point guards from the
city. He made it clear that New York breeds a special type of floor
general. According to him, NYC point guards have an advantage that
sets them apart from everyone else.
Sebastian Telfair and Kemba Walker were the top picks when it
came to naming his favorites. Anthony praised Walker, calling him a
'big Kemba believer' and expressing deep respect for what he
accomplished.
He also expressed love for Kenny Smith and Kenny Anderson, two
legendary Archbishop Molloy alumni, noting that the list of elite
New York guards could go on forever.
Anthony believes that the city's unforgiving basketball scene
demands toughness, confidence, and the ability to command the
game.
Lessons From His Father and Finding His Own Path
Cole Anthony is known for his association with New York
basketball, but his father, Greg Anthony, provided a different
perspective. Greg Anthony, a Las Vegas native and West Coast guard
by nature, was not a typical 'New York PG' despite his time playing
for the Knicks in the NBA.
Cole stated that his father didn't give him much advice about
New York when he decided to go to North Carolina. Instead of
telling him what to do, he gave him space to make his own
decisions, form his own support network, and define himself as a
player.
Anthony's development was heavily influenced by the freedom he
had with his mother. Anthony continues to make an effort to
reconnect with kids in the city, as he says. He acknowledges that
New York may not be producing as many stars as in past eras, but he
remains confident that the talent is still there. He still sees New
York as the basketball Mecca, but it needs to invest more in and
believe in its basketball players.
Growing Up a Knicks Fan—Until Reality Hit
Anthony was born in Portland, but he really got into
basketball in New York. Like a lot of kids there, he became a big
Knicks fan. That loyalty did not last long. When he was about seven
or eight, Anthony watched the Knicks lose to the Pistons by almost
40 points.
That tough loss stayed with him. He remembers feeling upset
and 'tight,' as he put it, and that was the end of his time as a
Knicks fan. It was an early lesson in how hard it can be to be a
basketball fan, and a reminder that even future NBA players go
through the same highs and lows as everyone else.
A Reflection of New York’s Basketball Spirit
Cole Anthony's stories were a vivid depiction of New York
basketball: intimidating, proud, demanding, and deeply
personal.
Anthony's journey, which includes feeling overwhelmed at Dyckman
and idolizing city legends, depicts the complex relationship many
players have with the game in New York. The culture is challenging
from the start, but if you manage to survive it, it will stay with
you forever.
