OG Anunoby on GB: “Maybe another time”

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby remains non-committal about representing Great Britain on the international stage, telling Hoopsfix that while he’s had “introductory” conversations with GB Basketball, his focus remains firmly on his NBA career.

“Haven’t decided anything yet,” the Skechers-signed athlete said during his recent visit to London for his third annual youth basketball camp.

“I’ve spoken to people, introductory stuff, but mainly I’ve been focused on the Knicks, so maybe another time.”

GB are currently 0-4 in their preparation for EuroBasket which starts next Wednesday.

The 28-year-old London-born wing, who moved to the United States as a youngster, has established himself as one of the premier two-way players in the NBA.

After a mid-season trade from Toronto to New York, Anunoby signed a five-year, $212.5 million extension with the Knicks in 2024, cementing his role as a cornerstone piece for the franchise.

Despite leaving the UK at four years old, Anunoby maintains strong ties to his homeland through family connections.

“I still feel a great connection to the UK even though I left when I was young, just ’cause my sisters never moved to the States,” he explained.

“So they’ve been out here their whole life, so they make it back here quite often. And then my older brother basically grew up here as well, so just have a lot of friends and family here.”

This connection extends beyond the personal realm. Anunoby sees himself as an ambassador for British basketball, whether he suits up for GB or not.

“I think anytime I’m in public or on the court, I’m always representing the UK and everything I do,” he said. “So always try my best to be a good representation of it.”

The former Indiana standout is keenly aware of his position as one of only a handful of British players to reach the NBA’s highest level. When asked about being a role model, he referenced former Luol Deng’s impact on his own journey.

“Just like when I was growing up, I knew Luol Deng was from here, so every time he did something, I thought it was super cool. Someone from London was in the NBA, doing whatever he was doing and someone I looked up to for sure. So I definitely do feel like a role model.”

This sense of responsibility is evident in his commitment to grassroots development through his annual London camp. Rather than formal mentorship programs, Anunoby prefers face-to-face interactions with young players.

“That’s what these camps are good for. I get to meet kids and they can ask questions and just tell me about their upbringing or their experience with basketball,” he said, adding that if he had extended time in the UK, he would “keep throwing events, keep throwing camps, bring more kids out, and hopefully just grow the excitement.”

Anunoby also maintains a connection with UK-raised Jeremy Sochan. The pair discuss “London and basketball” when their paths cross, though busy schedules have prevented any formal collaboration during UK visits.

For now, Anunoby remains focused on the present rather than legacy building. When asked about his potential impact on British basketball, he was characteristically pragmatic: “I don’t really think about legacy. I just think about each and every day. I don’t think about long term really.”

While GB Basketball and British fans may hope that “another time” comes sooner rather than later, Anunoby’s commitment to growing the game at grassroots level continues to inspire the next generation of UK talent

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