Fresh from clinching a second NBA championship, OG Anunoby has touched down in his native London, eager to share his triumph with the community that raised him. The Harlesden native arrives back on British soil not just as a two‑time champion, but as a player who directly influenced the outcome of the Finals, a stark contrast to his first ring with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, when an injury kept him out of the postseason. This time, Anunoby was at the heart of the action, delivering one of the most unforgettable moments in recent NBA history. The New York Knicks, trailing by 29 points in Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs, appeared on the brink of a series‑ending defeat.
Yet the team mounted a historic comeback, erasing the deficit and forcing the game into its final seconds. With the crowd at Madison Square Garden on the edge of their seats, Anunoby rose to the occasion, tapping in a decisive basket with just 1.2 seconds left on the clock.
The tip‑in secured a one‑point victory and sparked the largest comeback ever recorded in an NBA Finals matchup. The Knicks’ fairy‑tale run to the championship series had already positioned them as underdogs against Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs, who were hoping to end a 53‑year championship drought for New York. Inside the locker room, however, confidence was palpable.
As Anunoby told Sky Sports, “Before the playoffs began, we all came together with a single goal. We took each game one day at a time, focusing on the next challenge.” He continued, “We went on an incredible streak—13 straight wins, I think—and every night we concentrated on improving from the previous game. Even in the Finals, we kept it day by day, game by game.” After the Knicks finally fell to the Spurs in Game 3, their momentum seemed to wane. By the third quarter of Game 4, San Antonio appeared poised to level the series.
Yet New York rallied, and Anunoby’s clutch tip‑in became the defining highlight of the series. While the basketball world continues to replay that moment, the player himself has already moved past the hype.
When asked if the replay still gave him a rush, he replied, “No, I’m over it now.” His measured response reflected his calm demeanor even amid the euphoria that erupted in the arena after the shot. “We didn’t celebrate too much right away because we still had another game to win,” he explained. “We didn’t want to get ahead of ourselves.” New York sealed the championship in Game 5 and later paraded through the iconic Canyon of Heroes, where Anunoby and his teammates were handed the keys to the city—a tradition reserved for victorious athletes. “It was an incredible honor,” he said.
“The whole team was thrilled and it felt amazing.” Anunoby’s homecoming arrives at a pivotal moment for British basketball. Participation rates are climbing despite recent turbulence in the sport’s domestic structure, including league reorganisations and governance issues. The pathway to the NBA is becoming clearer for UK players. This summer, Tobi Lawal was drafted, joining Anunoby and Amari Williams as the latest British names in the league.
Speaking on the sport’s growth, Anunoby noted, “Every year more British players reach the NBA. The game is expanding globally, and it’s exciting to watch it get better and better.” His observation mirrors a broader trend: recent MVP awards have gone to international stars, and NBA rosters now routinely feature talent from every continent. With his recent spotlight, Anunoby believes British youngsters will see a realistic route to the highest level of basketball.
He is already putting that belief into practice. Back in London, he collaborates with Badu Basketball and Skechers to run summer camps that give kids access to elite coaching and a chance to meet an NBA champion in person. “Every summer we host a camp,” he explained.
“Kids of all ages—boys and girls—come out for drills, games, a Q&A session, and just to hang out and talk basketball. It’s a fantastic experience.” The camps not only teach fundamentals but also provide moments where children line up for autographs and photos with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, turning an abstract dream into something tangible. Although his professional life is based in New York, London remains a second home for Anunoby. He has been an Arsenal supporter since childhood and continues to follow the club from across the Atlantic.
“I grew up watching Arsenal, then played FIFA with them after moving to the US,” he said. “Thierry Henry is still my favourite player, and I love watching Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice and Myles Lewis‑Skelly now.” He even shared Arsenal’s title celebrations with former Knicks teammate Jeremy Sochan, another Gunners fan. Looking ahead, Anunoby’s focus mirrors that of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, which, like the Knicks, aims to defend a hard‑won championship. “We just keep improving individually and as a team, and hopefully win another title,” he said.
The Game 4 tip‑in will be replayed for years, but Anunoby’s legacy will be measured by more than a single shot. His ambition is already echoing across basketball courts throughout Britain, where aspiring players can now see a clear line from Harlesden streets to NBA glory. The future of British basketball looks brighter than ever, and OG Anunoby is determined to keep the momentum rolling.