Cole Anthony has already established himself as one of the top young guards in the NBA.

Now, he’s starting to establish his off-court legacy in New York City.

Anthony, a Manhattan native, announced Friday that he and his foundation are partnering with the Empire Invitational to support athletes in underserved communities.

"I grew up playing basketball in New York City under some great coaches who’ve helped put me in the position I’m in today," said Anthony, who played locally for Archbishop Molloy HS and the PSA Cardinals AAU program. "I couldn’t be more excited to give back to the city that has already given me so much. Basketball can connect people in so many ways and now it has connected our brand CYISOON with Empire Invitational to benefit an organization like Up2Us Sports that does such important work for the youth in our community. I’m grateful to be a part of this and happy I can help Up2Us."

Proceeds from the Empire Invitational tournament will benefit Up2Us Sports, a program that provides affordable, high-quality coach training to coaches and sports-based youth organizations, with a focus on low-income communities.

The event -- scheduled for Jan. 9 at Major R. Owens Community Health and Wellness Center in Brooklyn -- is expected to include some of the nation’s top high school players and teams.

Barring schedule changes, Westtown School and Dereck Lively (a Duke Commit and ESPN’s No. 2 prospect in the nation) will match up against Wilbraham & Monson Academy and Kyle Filipowski (another Duke Commit, ranked No. 10 nationally by ESPN).

In the second game, Bronx-based Cardinal Hayes and sophomore Ian Jackson (ranked No. 6 in his class by ESPN) will face St. Peter’s Prep and Villanova commit Mark Armstrong (ranked No. 65 in the country by ESPN).

Bryce Council, Anthony’s manager and CYISOON founder, and Pat Lawless, Empire Invitational founder, believe the event will impact the local community through the Up2Us program.

"Giving back the community I grew up in means the world to me. New York City has made me who I am today and I’m so grateful to be a part of the Empire Invitational this year," Council said. "… CYISOON stands for count yourself in & make something out of nothing. We believe this aligns with Up2Us Sports' mission in giving any kid an opportunity no matter where they are from. This will be great for New York!"

Adds Lawless: "I never would have thought a small high school basketball tournament in the city would turn into this. ... This gives the Empire Invitational an expanded purpose and we are excited to begin this new chapter."

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