The sound of the buzzer still echoing through the rafters, London-born forward OG Anunoby has declared his unwavering confidence in Britain's basketball future. The New York Knicks' resounding 4-1 triumph over the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals has sparked a tidal wave of excitement across the nation – and Anunoby is riding that wave all the way to the top, predicting 'major growth' for UK hoops.
Anunoby's influence on the Knicks' championship run was nothing short of phenomenal. Who can forget his breathtaking game-winning basket in Game Four? With just 1.2 seconds remaining and the Knicks trailing 106-105, Anunoby's crucial tip-in sealed a one-point lead – sending the crowd into raptures and catapulting his team to a 3-1 series advantage.
But this was no fluke. Anunoby was an integral cog throughout the entire campaign, starting all 84 of his appearances and dominating key statistics: second in play-off minutes, points, assists, blocks, and steals per game for the team – the very definition of a player making their mark.
And what a season it was for British basketball. The 2025-26 NBA campaign saw a record four UK-based players take to the court: Anunoby, Jeremy Sochan (Poland-born but with a strong UK allegiance), Amari Williams, and Tosan Evbuomwan – proof that our talent pool is bursting at the seams.
As the NBA gears up for its ambitious plans to launch an independent European league in October 2027, Anunoby's comments have added fuel to the fire. London and Manchester are set to host franchises each, with both cities already scheduled to welcome top-tier basketball action – including regular-season matches that will lay the groundwork for a transformative period in club basketball.
Anunoby firmly believes London is 'an untapped market', ripe for exploration with its rich talent pool and participation numbers. And he's right – bringing teams to Manchester and London would be nothing short of amazing, sparking continued growth across England and fuelling the sport's already-rapid expansion.