City living tempered side’s new addition

ANTHONY ELECHI spent chunks of his childhood running wild on the streets. It made him the basketball player he is today.

The Glasgow Rocks rookie had much of his education on the outdoor asphalt of his native New York, the city’s playgrounds offering rights of passage for any aspiring baller brave enough to come inside the cage and hustle for pride or money, or both.

“I grew up playing in the playgrounds, from Rucker to West 4th Street,” the 23-year-old centre reveals. “Growing up in New York is like the jungle. You have to come out with a chip on your shoulder because nobody is going to give you anything. You’ve got to go out and work because everybody is trying to test you and push you to the limit.”

Rucker Park in Harlem is as much of a Mecca as Madison Square Garden, a spot where legends of past and present have gathered to show their wares. Elechi, who moved out from Brooklyn to the suburbs of Long Island as a child, could sense those who had gone before him when he earned his shot.

“Rucker is definitely an amazing feeling, so to step on the court where there is so much history, it’s legendary. Once you’re on there, the atmosphere is different, as is the feeling and the vibe. I love everything about it.”

Tomorrow, he will add another court to his list with a debut at the Emirates Arena when the Rocks make their first home appearance of this new British Basketball League season against Newcastle Eagles.

Meanwhile, Caledonia Pride will get their final pre-season warm-up tomorrow before the start of their inaugural WBBL campaign against fellow newcomers Oakland Wolves.