The Legacy of Kemba Walker and the Future of New York City Basketball
Kemba Walker, a celebrated NCAA champion and a distinguished four-time NBA All-Star, proudly hails from the Bronx. He believes that these accomplishments are deeply intertwined with his roots. In July, Walker announced his retirement from professional basketball and took on a role on the coaching staff of the Charlotte Hornets. As one of the last great basketball stars to emerge from New York City, Walker reflects on a time when the city was a prolific factory for basketball talent. However, in recent years, that pipeline has seen a significant decline.
The current landscape reveals that while New York still possesses immense talent, many young players are leaving the five boroughs at an increasingly early age. Unlike Walker, who stayed in New York until he attended the University of Connecticut, this trend has become the norm for many aspiring athletes. “That’s changed over the years,” Walker remarked.
Historically, institutions like Power Memorial Academy, which produced legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Len Elmore, closed their doors in 1984. Furthermore, Rice High School in Harlem—once a hotbed for collegiate stars—shuttered in 2011. As a result, some of the most promising players have sought opportunities at schools outside of New York. For instance, Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony left Archbishop Molloy in Queens to attend Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, while Detroit Pistons forward Taj Gibson departed Brooklyn for Stoneridge Prep in California. Philadelphia 76ers center Mo Bamba made a similar journey, moving from the Bronx to Westtown School in Pennsylvania.
Ron Naclerio, the head coach at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Queens and the all-time winningest public school coach in New York history, expressed concern over this trend: “There are still players that come out of New York, but the problem is so many of them leave. I hate that it’s happening.”
In response to the dwindling presence of New York talent, two New Yorkers are determined to revitalize the city’s basketball scene. Griffin Taylor and Jared Effron founded The Program with the vision of making New York City a premier destination for basketball again. Their ambitious plan involves transforming a vacant warehouse in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, into a state-of-the-art youth facility complete with a full-sized court and a modern weight room.
“Statistically and reputationally, New York isn’t producing the talent at quite the rates that it used to,” Taylor explained. “Jared and I wanted to explore the reasons behind this decline.”
Growing up surrounded by the excitement of the New York Knicks and the iconic St. John’s University teams of the 1990s, Taylor and Effron understand that basketball is woven into the fabric of the city’s culture. Once a breeding ground for some of the greatest players in history, New York has seen its college programs struggle, and the Knicks recently ended a two-decade streak of dysfunction but failed to capture a championship following their exit in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The high school basketball scene has also experienced a downturn, with a noticeable talent drain from the city. Notably, from 2020 to 2023, no top-50 recruits emerged from New York City high schools, according to 247 Sports.
“There’s really a divide between the pay-for-play system and the AAU circuit,” Effron noted. “This disconnect may hinder our ability to develop talent.”
Gibson, who honed his skills through the renowned New York Gauchos AAU program, felt compelled to leave. His coaches encouraged him and his mother to seek a new environment on the West Coast before his sophomore year of high school. Upon arriving in California, Gibson realized he had entered a different basketball ecosystem, where the intensity of training and preparation for professional careers was palpable.
Rod Strickland, a Bronx native and former Knicks player now coaching at Long Island University, echoed these sentiments, recognizing that just as the NBA has expanded globally, the U.S. has also evolved. He pointed out that the archetype of a New York City player has changed over the years.
Naclerio believes that the decline in talent is partly due to the lack of competitive venues for young players. Many now train with private trainers instead of participating in competitive games. He advocates for more high-quality indoor courts, lamenting the poor conditions often found in local parks.
In response to these challenges, The Program aims to bridge this gap by providing the necessary facilities and resources. Since its inception in late 2021, the initiative has gradually gained momentum. In April 2022, Taylor and Effron began partnering with other stakeholders, and by last spring, they had fully committed to establishing The Program as a leading development academy. They organized several amateur events around the metropolitan area, attracting top high school players from both New York and neighboring New Jersey.
Last winter, The Program secured a lease on a 12,500-square-foot warehouse in Brooklyn, not far from the East River, which is set to become a training ground for emerging talent in the city. Plans are underway to provide a comprehensive development program, with aspirations to eventually form competitive teams. The initiative has garnered support from prominent investors, including Walker, Chris Mullin, and Carmelo Anthony, all of whom share a vision of nurturing New York’s best young players.
“There’s nothing better than being able to train and watch a pro train and emulate that,” Mullin stated. He emphasized the importance of passing on knowledge and work habits to the next generation. Having attended Power Memorial and later excelled at St. John’s, Mullin believes that he benefited from staying in New York during his formative years.
Gibson is committed to restoring New York City’s prominence in basketball and identifying the disconnects that have hindered its progress over the years. He believes that unifying the community is essential for revitalizing the sport.
There is optimism among local players and coaches that New York City can reclaim its status as a basketball powerhouse, despite the challenges. “New York City is New York City, so there’s always a possibility,” Strickland remarked. “You can’t tell me there’s not talent.”
Cole Anthony, who grew up in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn before moving to Baltimore, envisions a future where young players have better access to training and resources. “I’ve seen firsthand how access to the best gyms, training, and coaching can accelerate development,” he stated. “Providing elite coaching and training under one roof can only enhance the talent pool from New York.”
Taylor and Effron have ambitious plans for the future of The Program. They not only aim to develop local talent but also have secured air rights to their current location, allowing for potential expansion. Their vision includes the possibility of extending to other major cities along the East Coast.
As the last New York City high school product to make an NBA All-Star team, Walker recognizes the significance of his upbringing in shaping his career. He hopes that The Program will create a pathway for others, allowing young players to stay in the city and develop their skills. “I would like the same for the next generation of kids,” Walker expressed. “This could be an opportunity for them to stick around and have a place to improve.”
(Illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic; photos: David Dow, Rich Schultz, Jean Catuffe / Getty Images)
