In New York City, basketball has provided opportunities for countless players. Whether games are held in high school gyms, college arenas, or city parks, the sport has produced legends who keep its culture alive and pave the way for new generations.
Basketball holds a special place in the heart of Glenn “Pooh” Harding, standout high school player and member of the 1986 Abraham Lincoln High School City Championship team. Growing up during what he calls the “Golden Era” of New York City high school basketball, Harding played alongside standouts such as Greg “Boo” Harvey, Rod Strickland, Kenny Anderson, and Derrick “Band-Aid” Chievous.
That 1986 team also featured Sean Williams, Bernard Mitchell, Dwayne “Tiny” Morton, Dave Adebajo, and Peter Piere, names that still echo in city basketball history. Harding’s cousin, Cortez Jackson, played for Madison High School and Colorado State before becoming a comedian known as “The King of Snaps.”
For Harding, the game remains a lifelong passion. His presence is valued in the community, and he has found new ways to contribute long after his playing days. In 2020, encouraged by peers Larry Timberlake and Hakim Donadelle, Harding saw that the city’s high school scene lacked the coverage it deserved. He founded Basketballheadzz to provide the community with a space where its voices and stories could shine and to educate the next generation about New York’s hoops history.
“One of the reasons why I started Basketballheadzz is to give these young athletes a chance to work on and build their media skills,” said Harding to the AmNews. “Being able to present yourself is very important not only in the world of basketball but in life. To see students be shy in front of the camera, one year, and then blossom with an interview the next year is definitely something I’m proud of.”
With over 21,000 followers on Instagram and more than 11,000 subscribers on YouTube, Harding highlights boys’ and girls’ high school basketball. He covers rivalry games, player interviews, and summer workouts while building trust with schools for behind-the-scenes preseason access.
The platform has helped overlooked New York City players gain recognition from college programs. Former Transit Tech player Ashton Reynolds and Thomas Jefferson High School senior guard Jahda Swann are among those who have earned increased exposure.
Harding also covers major city tournaments, including Kingdome, Rucker Park, Gersh Park, and the Breevort Basketball Tournament. He has played a key role in organizing the Breevort event each summer, showing his commitment to keeping New York City basketball vibrant and visible.
“I’m grateful to have a platform that everyone recognizes every day, no matter where I am on my daily walk, kids of all ages come up to me. They say, you’re the guy from basketballheadzz. That recognition never fails to amaze me.”
Asked what advice he gives to people entering sports media, Harding’s message is simple: “Just start,” Harding advised. He tells creators not to worry about equipment, emphasizing that with passion and consistency, support will come.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story mistakenly wrote Glenn Harding’s name. The error has been corrected.