NBA Player Cole Anthony, Mother Launch App To Help Navigate The Youth Basketball Industry

Hoopers on the court say ball up. NBA player Cole Anthony and his mother, Crystal McCrary McGuire, say GameUp.

This is a new, youth-focused sports app that the duo will launch. The new app will launch in September, according to the Black Enterprise.

The main purpose of this new app is to "help parents and their children as they embark on their sports development skills.” With youth sports evolving, the mother-son duo take heed of how families can best support their kids while they work toward their goals.

Anthony, who was drafted out of North Carolina in 2020 and is a current guard for the Orlando Magic, embarked on his app journey with his mother, who is also a force to be reckoned with.

McGuire is a New York Times best-selling author, a filmmaker and a media professional, according to AfroTech. She assisted in creating the documentary, Little Ballers for Nickelodeon, which focuses on youth sports.

But the duo’s focus is on the app. What does the app do?

Their app focuses on the ability to find and match teams, a database of programs, as well a “hub for trainers to connect with potential clients." The app also utilizes AI technology to “personalize each user’s experience for optimal service.”

“As a mother of three youth athletes at every level and firsthand witness to the challenges of youth basketball, I recognized the need for a comprehensive tool to help parents navigate this complex world,” McCrary said. “With GameUp, we are providing a reliable, one-stop solution. This app represents our commitment to empowering the next generation of athletes, starting with basketball.”

The official launch is Sept. 10 with “City Assist” in Harlem. The celebration will be hosted in partnership with Empire Invitational, a basketball nonprofit, and Anthony’s own nonprofit, the 50 Ways Foundation.

According to the website, 50 Ways Foundation “is dedicated to impacting the lives of today’s youth. To inspire and empower our youth by providing mentorship, new experiences and resources that can create different opportunities for them to be successful.”

Some of the initiatives include a basketball camp and a back-to-school drive, among others.