Cole Anthony on His First Taste of New York City Basketball

Feb 6 2026 9:26PM UTC

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Cole Anthony’s introduction to New York City basketball was anything but gradual. In an interview with Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson, he talked about the first time he felt the intensity and pressure that make the city’s hoops scene unique.

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.

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