In the concrete jungle of New York City, the point guard position isn’t just a role on a roster—it’s a badge of honor. To be a “Point God” in the five boroughs requires a specific blend of grit, flair, and an unshakable resolve. While Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony was technically born in Portland, Oregon, his basketball DNA is pure New York.
As the son of NBA veteran and 1990 UNLV champion Greg Anthony, Cole grew up navigating the unique pressure of being a “legacy” player while trying to conquer the asphalt of legendary courts like Dyckman. Now a veteran leader in his own right, Anthony has carved out a path that balances the influence of his father’s era with a modern, independent fire. I sat down with the Magic spark plug to discuss the evolution of NYC hoops, his “betrayal” of his childhood team, and what it truly means to be a “network baby” in the association.
Q&A With Cole Anthony
Anthony opens up about the raw intensity of his first Dyckman run and how he transitioned from a young Knicks fan to a fierce competitor on the NBA stage.
We dive deep into the specific legends that shaped his game and the reality of growing up as a “network baby”—a term he uses to describe the unique advantage of having a veteran blueprint at home while fighting to establish his own identity in the league.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Did you watch the documentary Point Gods?
Cole Anthony: Yes, I did.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You grew up in New York, but where were you actually born?
Cole Anthony: I was born in Portland, Oregon. My pops [Greg Anthony] was on the Trail Blazers at the time, but I was in New York by the time I was two years old.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: So, what was your first real introduction to New York City basketball culture?
Cole Anthony: I’ve got a story for you. My homie, Joe Toussaint—who went to Cardinal Hayes and played for Iowa and West Virginia—brought me out to play at Dyckman when I was in the seventh or eighth grade. We were playing in an “unlimited” division or something similar. I remember being so scared in there. I was like, “Damn, am I ready for this?” I didn’t play well, but that was probably the first time I felt like I was really “outside” and embracing that culture. Point guards out of New York are just a different animal.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Who were your favorite point guards from the city?
Cole Anthony: Sebastian Telfair, for sure. And Kemba Walker. Kemba would probably be my favorite; I’m a big Kemba believer and have a lot of respect for him. Obviously, I’ve got love for Kenny Smith and Kenny Anderson—two Archbishop Molloy dudes. We could go down the list for a long time; we’ve got a lot of them.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What did your dad tell you about New York when you decided to head to North Carolina?
Cole Anthony: Pops was in Florida then, and he wasn’t really a “New York PG” himself. He’s a West Coast guy from Vegas. He did play for the Knicks and he was tough, but he gave me a lot of room to carve my own path. I didn’t live with him growing up, and even though he was there, he gave me the space to figure things out. Both him and my mom did that, and I’m grateful because it allowed me to put my own team together.
He didn’t say much, but I still try to tap back in with the kids in the city today. I do think we are the Mecca of basketball. We might not have the same firepower coming out right now, but we still have the hoopers. We just have to build them up more.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Since you were born in Portland but raised in New York—who was your team growing up?
Cole Anthony: I was a Knicks fan for the longest time. But then I went to a game where I saw them get blasted by the Pistons by about 40 points, and I just stopped being a fan. I was about seven or eight years old, and it was the first time I really remember that happening. I was tight! After that, I started rocking with OKC; I became a huge KD fan.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: So you’re talking about the Knicks around 2008 or 2009, before the Melo era?
Cole Anthony: Yeah, before Melo. It might have been a year or two before Kristaps Porziņģis’ rookie year. I just saw my favorite team get clipped by 40 and thought, “Oh well.”
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: How cool is it to see them being successful now, even though you’re in the league competing against them?
Cole Anthony: Honestly? I don’t really rock with them like that. It’s good for the city of New York, but whenever we see them, it’s smoke. It’s real smoke. I’m happy they’re looking well, but that’s just how the game goes.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Last question. How does being a second-generation ballplayer—alongside guys like Steph Curry and Austin Rivers—prepare you for independence in life and the game?
Cole Anthony: I think it gives us an automatic leg up. I call us “network babies.” It gave me a head start having someone who’s been through the whole process. Having someone who lived out every dream I had and played in the league for 11 years is an advantage. To have a resource like my dad in my corner to lead me in the right direction is something I’ll always be grateful for.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Who are some of the guys in the league who feel like family because of that dynamic?
Cole Anthony: When I first got to the league, I met Vinny Baker. He told me, “I had my best year in the league playing with your pops.” I knew who he was, but that respect meant there was love from Day 1. I have another cool story: when I was drafted by Orlando during the COVID year, the first person I met in the gym was Khem Birch. He came up to me and said, “I went to UNLV; I went to your pops’ school.” I definitely have a lot of stories of people showing me love because of the connection to my dad.
Wrap Up
Cole Anthony’s journey serves as a bridge between two eras of basketball. Whether he’s reminiscing about the fear of his first Dyckman run or navigating the “smoke” that comes with facing his hometown Knicks, Anthony carries the weight of the Mecca with him. While he may have traded his Knicks fandom for an OKC jersey as a kid, his respect for the legends—the Telfairs, Kembas, and Smiths—shows that his heart is still very much in the city.
As he continues to lead in Orlando, Cole remains a prime example of how the next generation can honor their roots while building a legacy entirely their own. In a league filled with talent, Anthony’s blend of New York toughness and “network baby” wisdom makes him one of the most grounded and self-aware voices in the game today.
