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Grassroots basketball court gets an NBA assist

A group of people play basketball at Argyle Square Court.Image source, GLA

Image caption,

Argyle Square Court has been allocated funding from multiple organisations

ByStephen Menon

Reporting fromLondon

Published

21 minutes ago

A basketball court is set to get an "assist" from a London-born NBA basketball star who is keen to grow the game in the capital.

OG Anunoby played a key role in the New York Knicks recent championship victory against the San Antonio Spurs.

Anunoby said: "Each time I come back to London, there's more and more excitement about basketball. It's definitely growing at a rapid rate - it's amazing."

His "assist" - a pass which leads directly to a goal in basketball - will involve giving "thousands of dollars" to help renovate Argyle Square Court in Camden, north London.

OG Anunoby holding an orange basketball. He wears a black zip-up jacket.Image source, GLA

Image caption,

OG Anunoby is one of the people helping fund the Argyle Square Court renovation

Argyle Kings, a community basketball group that has been campaigning to renovate the court, has welcomed the news.

BBC coverage of their efforts prompted the council to open discussions with the Argyle Kings last August.

Group member, Ray Akpofure said he was "flabbergasted" after learning about Anunoby's involvement in the project.

"More than anything, I'm just proud," he said. "It's a testament to all of the work we've been putting in."

Ray Akpofure in a black and white basketball vest with Boston Celtics written on it on a basketball court in King's Cross.

Image caption, Ray Akpofure said he was proud to see the investment in the site

Plans for the site still include a memorial to Anthony "TJ" Hibbert, a local 24-year-old man who died alongside three others in a car crash in February 2025.

"I think of TJ, and although I'm sad, I smile," said Florence Reid, Hibbert's mother.

"He's not died with the crash. He's still among us. He's still here [in] what they're gonna [sic] do with Argyle, because Argyle was a part of TJ."

Anthony "TJ" Hibbert in a black basketball vest with a red pattern and Essex Rebels logo. He smiles at the camera in front of a grey background.Image source, Essex Police/Essex Rebels Basketball

Image caption,

Anthony "TJ" Hibbert and three of his friends died in a car crash on 1 February

The exact amount Anunoby has pledged to give will not be disclosed for privacy reasons, the BBC has been told.

He will partner with several other organisations and public bodies which will also fund the renovation.

City Hall said it would invest £50,000 in the court. The National Basketball Players' Association (NBPA) is due to invest $20,000 (approximately £14,872).

Camden Council will spend £317,000 on both the court and improvement of the wider Argyle Square Gardens.

Last year, City Hall pledged £1.9m to grow the game of basketball in London, including £500,000 to improve 10 courts across the capital.

Although several of the renovated courts have included further partners, most courts will see around £50,000.

Sagal Abdi-Wali, leader of Camden Council, said: "Argyle Square Basketball Court has the potential to be a renowned basketball hub not just for Camden but also for London, as one of the most central courts in the capital.

"Our mission is to honour its legacy and build for the future of the court and its players.

"With the legend that is OG Anunoby on board, this project is destined to be a slam-dunk."

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