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Scholastic Roundup: New York City basketball has finally found a home

September 24, 2021 Andy Furman
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If you’re looking for the Official Home for New York City Basketball, well, look no further.

We found it.

It belongs to Basketballheadzz.

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Actually, it belongs to Glenn “Pooh” Harding, the founder and creator of Basketballheadzz.

“During the height of the 2020 pandemic, while everyone was in quarantine, Basketballheadzz was created,” Harding said. “With a fast-growing following, Basketballheadzz has become ‘The Official Home for New York City Basketball.”

Harding is a former high school standout at Brooklyn’s powerhouse, Abraham Lincoln High School, and later at Maine Central Institute Prep School where he was a McDonald’s All-American nominee and Division I performer at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

He is also a behavior specialist as well as a high school basketball coach, mentor and, of course, CEO of Basketballheadzz.

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The Basketballheadzz live show not only showcases New York City Basketball at its finest, but also celebrates the history and pioneer of basketball culture in the city. From the playgrounds to the universities and professionals, how basketball has impacted New York City and how it affects the rest of the world.

The lineup of guests is like a who’s who in the sport. NBA and WNBA players have appeared. The lineup has included: Jerry “Ice” Reynolds, Kym Hampton, Kenny Anderson, Hall of Famer Charlie Scott, Ricky Sobers, Rafer “Skip to my Lou” Alston, Rod Strickland and Rolando Blackman.

High School and College performers included: Effrem Whitehead, Rob Phelps, Pat Alphonse, Dr. Laura Miele, Katrina Plummer, Coach Tiny Morton, Garfield Smith, Jason Gilliam, Coach Ruth Lovelace, Kenny Hutchinson, Khalil Brantley, Coach Ray Haskins, Shawnelle Scott, Norm Roberts, Hip Hop Legendary Rapper Capone (Capone-Noreaga), John Johnson, Gerald Greene and James Major.

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Some of the street-ball legends included: Shane (Captain Nappy) Drisdom, Shane (Dribble Machine) Woney, Marvin Roberts, Malloy (Future) Neismith, Adrian “AButta” Walton and Lester “MO Les” Barrow.

Harding says his mission is the celebrate legends and legacy. “To bring awareness to the culture of New York City Basketball and bridge the gap between generations of Basketballheadzz,” he said.

Basketballheadzz commenced on March 30, 2020 when Harding had his former teammate from Lincoln – Tony Morton – as his first guest.

Basketballheadzz can be viewed on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

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The recent one-game suspension of Chicago White Sox manager Tony LaRussa prompted a response from Hall of Fame announcer – and New Utrecht grad – Spencer Ross.

“Really have to wonder what certain baseball fans mean when they call Tony LaRussa ‘Old School’”, asks Ross, who was a play-by-play broadcaster for every New York City professional sports team – and you can add a year with the Boston Celtics and his award-winning Racing from Yonkers and Roosevelt TV shows.

“The White Sox,” Ross said, “lost 100 games in 2019. Their record 62-100.”

In the 2020 pandemic-shortened season they improved to 35-25.

And now, Ross says, “This ancient over-the-hill guy has his White Sox atop of the American League Central with a comfortable double-digit lead over the Cleveland Indians.

Ross reminds that LaRussa’s always been a step ahead of the game. “He was laughed at when he became one of the first, if not the first manager to start carrying a computer around with him,” he said.

That was in the 1980s.

He’s won over 2,800 games and trails only the legendary Connie Mack who amassed 3,731 career victories.

He’s won six pennants and three World Series titles and has already been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame – Class of 2014. And he’s a candidate for Manager of the Year.

By the way, in the off-season, the 76-year-ol LaRussa found time to get his law degree at Florida State University.

Not surprisingly, the same school Spencer Ross graduated from.

Andy Furman is a Fox Sports Radio national talk show host. Previously, he was scholastic sports columnist for the Brooklyn Eagle. He may be reached at: [email protected] Twitter: @AndyFurmanFSR


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  1. Rich Kosik

    Another Home Run from Andy Furman keeping NYers near and far in touch with what’s going on with NYC sports. From old school going back to the Brooklyn Dodgers, Yankees & Giants with Willie Mays, through Connie Hawkins & Roger Brown all the way to ALL the Brooklyn legends of the 50’s- 60’s-70’s- 80’s- 90’s – 2,000’s (To many to name here) to the New Jack guys who get multi-exposures through Social Media, even when they haven’t played a varsity game yet. LOL
    Glenn Harding’s Basketballheadzz’s MUST See Pod Cast has picked up the torch on NYC Hoops & is carrying it proudly to the THOUSANDS- MILLIONS (?) Fans of NYC H.S. Sports.
    I know us oldies appreciate hearing about legends of our time still doing great things & reading about the success of players many of us worked with as Community & High School coaches & educators. I hope this generation is picking up on this news & the HISTORY available on Glenn Harding’s GREAT sight Basketballheadzz Pod Cast & another worthy one called ‘DribblenDimes.org ” run by St/ Raymon High School alumnus Manny Montilla . It’s mostly focused on Manhattan/Bronx legends with a sprinkling of other Boroughs mixed in. Both of these sights deserve to be checked out & their creators APPLAUDED Loudly! THANKS Andy for keeping the Fire going!

    September 24, 2021 at 7:11 pm
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