London-born NBA star OG Anunoby backs Mayor’s drive to grow basketball in the capital with new court investment

• New York Knicks star Anunoby commits funding to refurbish Argyle Square basketball court in Camden, in partnership with the Mayor of London and Camden Council 
• Anunoby played a starring role in the Knicks’ historic NBA Championship win in June, ending their 53-year championship drought
• New investment from OG Anunoby is supported by $25,000USD (£18,500) from the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Foundation and builds on the Mayor’s £2m funding to improve basketball facilities across the capital and grow the sport.

On a special visit to the capital, London’s own New York Knicks star OG Anunoby has announced investment to refurbish a basketball court in Camden, in partnership with the Mayor of London’s work to improve facilities and create more opportunities for young people to play basketball across the capital. 

 

The Mayor’s £2 million commitment to grow basketball in London, announced in January ahead of the NBA London Games 2026, includes £500,000 to refurbish up to 10 basketball courts across the capital and weatherproof priority locations. This will improve access to quality facilities while creating safe, attractive spaces for community play. 

 

The investment forms part of the Mayor’s wider work to provide positive opportunities for young Londoners and make London the greatest city in the world to grow up in. [1] We expect to announce successful applicants in early September with courts ready for May 2027. 

 

Born in the London Borough of Camden, OG Anunoby is the most high-profile British player in the NBA and maintains strong ties to London. Having developed his game on courts across the capital before establishing himself as a leading player in the league, he’s passionate about creating opportunities here for the next generation of talent.

 

OG Anunoby cemented his status as an all-time Knicks icon after playing a pivotal role in the team’s historic NBA Championship win in June, helping the franchise end their 53-year championship drought. In the crucial Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Anunoby made a game-winning tip-in basket with 1.2 seconds remaining in one of the greatest sporting moments ever witnessed at the iconic Madison Square Garden. 

 

He is the only British player in history to win an NBA championship, with his historic Knicks triumph this year adding to the first title he won with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.

 

His personal investment to refurbish Argyle Square basketball court, in partnership with the Mayor and Camden Council, is boosted by a £50,000 contribution from the Mayor and over $25,000 USD (£18,500) from the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Foundation, adding further momentum to the Mayor’s efforts to grow the game in London and inspire the next generation of players.

 

Argyle Square basketball court draws players from across London and beyond and is home to the Argyle Kings, a basketball community group known for developing local talent and fostering community participation in the sport. As part of the project, Camden Council will work with the Argyle Kings to memorialise local player Anthony 'TJ' Hibbert, who died in a car crash in 2025, aged 24. 

 

Basketball England has backed the renovation plans, stating the court is in need of renovation after having fallen into a state of disrepair [2]. As part of his visit this week, OG Anunoby has been directly involved in plans around the renovation of the Argyle Square basketball court, which is part of Camden’s Green Space Investment programme to improve the wider park facilities. The Council is currently carrying out community engagement with residents to consider for the final proposals due in the coming weeks. 

 

Basketball sits behind only football as the second-most popular team sport for young people in England, with 1.15 million playing on a weekly basis, while its diverse reach has seen NBA fandom among UK adults grow by 24 per cent in the last three years alone. London is home to more than 500,000 active players across community, club, and school programmes [3]. 

 

Growing the sport in the capital is a long-term ambition of the Mayor, and in September 2024, the Mayor announced the launch of his Basketball Taskforce, following a meeting with NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum [4]. The Mayor has met Commissioner Adam Silver and the Deputy Commissioner Tatum regularly since the establishment of the Taskforce to drive positive progress. 

 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m determined to ensure that every young Londoner can access high-quality places to play basketball and fulfil their potential. So I’m delighted London’s own NBA superstar OG Anunoby is backing our efforts to improve basketball facilities across London and inspire the next generation of players.

“Through my Basketball Taskforce and our partnership with the NBA, we’re improving opportunities for young Londoners and ensuring basketball can thrive in every part of our city.

“London is the sporting capital of the world, and I look forward to continuing to work with OG and the NBA to grow the game and build a healthier, fairer and more prosperous London for everyone.”

 

OG Anunoby, said: “I’m very excited to partner with the Mayor of London to refurbish the basketball court in Camden. Access to a court and facilities is key for young, aspiring basketball players. Basketball can lead to a career, education but for so many it can also be a path to community and way to connect with others.”

 

George Aivazoglou, NBA SVP & Managing Director, Europe & Middle East, said: "Basketball continues to grow rapidly across London, and investing in quality facilities is critical to unlocking the sport's long-term potential. Courts are more than places to play – they are spaces where communities come together, young people build confidence and future talent is developed. We are proud to work alongside the Mayor of London, OG Anunoby and the NBPA to help strengthen the basketball ecosystem across the capital and create more opportunities for the next generation to engage with the game."

 

Leader of Camden Council Cllr Sagal Abdi-Wali, 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 – and with the legend that is OG Anunoby on board, this project is destined to be a slam-dunk.”

 

Ray Onome Akpofure, a member of the basketball community group Argyle Kings, said: “Argyle Square Gardens is not only the birthplace of the best community I've ever been a part of, but it is also where I've met some of the best friends I could ever ask for. We're all incredibly grateful for the council's willingness to collaborate with us, and we're excited to get started, see the work progress, and witness the final outcome. I hope the court continues to be the heart of the community, providing opportunities for the next generation of basketball players to grow, develop, and thrive—not only as athletes but as people.”

 

The Mayor’s investment in basketball is also funding a £1 million expansion of the Mayor’s flagship coaching scheme with the NBA, ‘London Coaches Programmme’, to develop the next generation of basketball coaches, so far reaching 500 new community coaches, with the extension aiming to reach a further 180 trainees.