Greg Anthony played for 12 years in the N.B.A., which is 12 more years than he’d ever imagined as a young man. So when it was announced on Feb. 25 that he was going to be on the lead broadcast team for the 2014 Final Four, it marked yet another opportunity for Mr. Anthony that he simply couldn’t have predicted.
“I never thought I’d even be in broadcasting,†Mr. Anthony, 46, said recently at a media day for CBS and Turner Sports coverage of the N.C.A.A. Tournament, which culminates in North Texas on April 5. “When I retired from playing I was probably going to get my M.B.A. I had a few businesses that I was involved with and so I really saw myself going down that path. I kind of just fell into broadcasting literally on a whim. It was never really in my thought process toward the end of my career and even after I was retired.â€
Mr. Anthony said that he was approached about the opportunity before the season began, toward the latter end of the summer. He thought about the pros and cons — “the Final Four is a different dynamic than being in the studio,†he said — but ultimately came to the conclusion that the opportunity was too good to pass up.
Mr. Anthony will serve as an in-game analyst throughout the tournament, teaming up with with Jim Nantz and analyst Steve Kerr with reporter Tracy Wolfson working the sidelines through the Regional Finals. This lead team will also cover the national semifinals and the national championship games live from AT&T Stadium.
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“I love the game of basketball and never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be in the capacity I’m in in terms of broadcasting. I love the game of college basketball. To call the Final Four is the pinnacle of college basketball from a broadcasting perspective and I really have to thank Sean McManus and David Berson for having the belief and feeling that this was the right move to make for our team.â€
The move means that the two-man team of Mr. Nantz and Clark Kellogg may have called its last Final Four. Mr. Anthony said that Mr. Kellogg is a close friend, and that what he’s given him is more than advice going into his first Final Four.
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“What he’s given me is perspective. He’s a consummate pro, and the ultimate teammate. I’ve called games before and done some of those things. I understand the magnitude of the moment and what it means to so many.â€