Cole Anthony talks New York Hoops, Kemba Walker and his basketball upbringing – TalkBasket.net

Cole Anthony reflected on his early basketball journey, explaining that he was born in Portland, Oregon, while his father, Greg Anthony, was with the Trail Blazers. “I was in New York when I was two years old,” he said in an interview interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinsonhighlighting the city’s influence on its development.

Anthony described his first real exposure to New York basketball culture at Dyckman Park in high school. “We were playing in an ‘unrestricted’ division… I was so scared there. I wasn’t playing well, but that was probably the first time I felt like I was really ‘out there’ and embracing that culture,” he said.

He cited New York point guards as key inspirations. “Sebastian Telfair, for sure. And Kemba Walker. Kemba would probably be my favorite; I’m a big supporter of Kemba and have a lot of respect for him. Obviously, I have love for Kenny Smith and Kenny Anderson,” Anthony said.

Despite growing up in the NBA through his father, Anthony emphasized independence in his path. “Pops gave me a lot of space to determine my own path… It allowed me to build my own team,” he said, adding that he still maintains ties with the youth in the city.

Anthony shared his changing loyalties as a fan. “I was a Knicks fan for the longest time. But then I saw them get blown out by the Pistons by about 40 points, and I just wasn’t a fan anymore… I became a huge KD fan,” he explained, referencing his early admiration for Kevin Durant and the OKC Thunder.

As for his experience as a second generation, Anthony reflected on the benefits it offers. “I call us ‘network babies.’ “It gave me an advantage to have someone who has been through the whole process…Having someone who fulfilled every dream I had and played in the league for 11 years is an advantage,” he said.

Anthony also noted the competitive nature of facing his hometown teams. “I’m trying to reconnect with the kids in town today. We are the Mecca of basketball… every time we see the Knicks, it’s smoke. It’s real smoke,” he said, underscoring the intensity of professional games.

Currently with the Milwaukee Bucks, Anthony has played in 33 games this season, averaging 6.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 15.2 minutes per game.