NORFOLK, Va. - Leo Anthony, 79, of Virginia Beach, Va. died on March 21, 2019. Anthony was born in the Bronx, N.Y. to the late Peter and Mary Anthony.
The Anthony family will receive friends Wednesday March 27th from 5-7:00 p.m. ET at HD Oliver Funeral Apts., 2002 Laskin Rd. VBVA 23454. A service will be held Sunday March 31st at 1:30 p.m. at London Bridge Baptist Church 2460 Potters Rd VBVA 23454. In Lieu of Flowers please donate in Leo Anthony’s name to ODU Men’s Basketball at 757-683-6963 or to The American Heart Association at www.heart.org. Online condolences may be made at www.hdoliver.com.
Anthony was a dedicated father and grandfather. He is survived by his children Greg (Renee) Anthony, Michael (Cara) Anthony, Cassie (David) Smith. His grandchildren Nikolas, Alexis and Nicole Anthony; Nikos and Cate Anthony; Jaden and Haley Gibson and Bryce and Brayden Smith. He leaves behind his brothers Tony (Marika) Anthony, Photi Anthony. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Anthony, held 11 of Old Dominion University’s 13 cage records when he graduated in 1961 was the first basketball All-American to play for the University.
The six-foot guard finished his ODU basketball career in February of 1961 by scoring 60 points against Lynchburg College and becoming the third highest scorer in the history of the State of Virginia.
Besides All-American honors, Leo was named to the All-Virginia team four times and voted Player of the Year in the state twice.
In the 1979-80 season Anthony’s single career scoring mark of 2,181 points was broken by Ronnie Valentine. Anthony still owns the highest scoring average in a season at 31.0 and the highest career average at 26.6. Anthony had 29 30-point games during his career from 1957-61. Anthony averaged 24.1 as a freshman, 25.3 as a sophomore, 26.3 as a junior. He scored 35 or more points in a game 12 times.
A player with unusual quick foot movement, Leo was known for his ability to get free for his shots and execute them. He developed innovative shooting methods against double-teaming and the many box-and-one defenses.
With Anthony setting the pace, the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary Braves (as Old Dominion was formerly known until his senior year) achieved a four-year record of 55-27.
Off-season play against such NBA greats as Jerry West and Elgin Baylor showed Anthony could have been a star at any college level. He had turned down scholarship offers from such schools as the University of New Mexico, and the College of William and Mary to attend Old Dominion.
In addition to starring for four years in basketball, Anthony also started at shortstop for four years in baseball.
After graduating from Old Dominion, Anthony began teaching and coaching in the Hampton Roads area at Granby, Norfolk Academy, Maury, Princess Anne and First Colonial. His Princess Anne High School squad won eight District titles and he won another two at First Colonial.
Anthony is one of a hand full of high school coaches who won over 400 games in basketball and golf. He completed his high school basketball coaching career with 411 victories.
He was a member of the first Old Dominion University Sports Hall of Fame induction class in the spring of 1980.