While his son forges a promising path in basketball, Greg Anthony made his own name in the 1990s and remained in the industry. Greg bonded with his first son over the sport, and the pair developed a strong bond with the rest of his family marching behind Cole in support.
Greg Anthony, married to a woman named Chere and a father to four children, played basketball at the University of Portland and later transferred to Nevada, Las Vegas, to play for the Running Rebels, leading the offense.
The team was led by legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian and secured a national championship win against the Dukes in 1990 with a 30 points advance. The following year, he was the 12th first-round draft pick for the New York Knicks and played for the team between 1991 and 1995.
Greg solidified his reputation in the New York Knicks, led by Pat Riley, as a strong point guard and defender during those years, averaging 7.3 points and four rebounds across 757 games in several cities. He now works as an NBA analyst for Turner Sports and has an active social media presence.
Greg opened up about the birth of his son on May 20, 2000, during a 2019 interview. At the time, he played for the Portland Trail Blazers and requested a leave of absence to be present for Cole's arrival. And so, after a Friday night game, the former NBA guard flew home the next morning to be with his family.
Cole's birth, however, wasn't without a few scares as the doctors deliberated a possible C-section due to a condition that complicated his delivery and threatened his life. Thankfully, the process worked out, and he arrived naturally. Today, Greg is proud to watch his son navigate his career as a professional basketball player.
Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic talks to his dad, Greg Anthony, during the AT&T Slam Dunk as part of 2022 NBA All Star Weekend on February 19, 2022, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio | Source: Getty Images
Cole Anthony Follows in His Father Greg Anthony's Footsteps
Although Cole leaned more toward basketball, his dad thought he also had great potential as a baseball player. Greg never pressured his son into basketball, as the father of four believed in experiencing the things that mattered to his children.
Still, as much as Cole loved basketball, he also credited his dad as his inspiration for pursuing the sport professionally. Cole valued his dad's knowledge of the game and was always open to Greg's constructive criticism.
Around the seventh grade, Cole decided to take basketball seriously, and he started paying more attention to his father's guidance. Greg ensured to instill the attitude of a leader, ensuring that Cole would find value and joy in the victories of his teammates and his own.
At only 13 years old, Cole won a one-on-one against his dad, a game the Turner Sports analyst claimed he didn't remember. As Cole rolled his eyes at his dad's convenient loss of memory, he recounted the story saying it took place in the backyard of Greg's Florida home.
Cole remembered it distinctly as the win boosted his self-confidence, even though his dad got mad. Although Greg inspired him to follow in his footsteps, Cole had bigger aspirations, saying he wanted to go beyond his dad's milestones. Greg acknowledged his son's skills, saying he was a "far better player" than he "ever was."
Spike Lee Was Present When Cole Was Drafted in 2020
Cole was surrounded by his entire family, alongside actress Joie Lee's brother, Spike Lee, during the 2020 NBA Draft ceremony. When he was named the Orlando Magic's 15th pick, they all cheered around the teary-eyed Cole, who admitted to how difficult the year had been for him after having to go through surgery.
In January 2021, Cole played with Orlando Magic against the Timberwolves and secured a win for his team with a memorable buzzer-beater. A proud Greg witnessed and celebrated the impressive win, telling his co-hosts of the rollercoaster it was to experience the game with his son as he watched.
Earlier this year, Cole paid tribute to his dad during the AT&T Slam Dunk, where he donned Greg's New York Knicks jersey and traditional New York City Timbaland's to make it more challenging for himself. Although he missed the first two shots, he scored the third and was awarded 40.
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