John G. Stote III, the creator of The Rock basketball
His basketball roots are in Kingston, New York. In a 2018 interview, Stote said he attended John A. Coleman High School and invented The Rock around 1982.
Rucker Park inspired the name. He described taking the bus to Harlem, watching streetball legends, and playing in the later games. Hearing players call the basketball “the rock” gave him the idea for the brand name, which he said he trademarked.
His connection included running the business. That interview identifies him as president of Anaconda Sports, which produced The Rock, and also refers to him as the owner of Rock Basketball.
The business changed hands. DIRT’s official company history states that Genesco acquired Anaconda Sports in September 2010, through Hat World/Lids Team Sports. GOAT’s current website separately confirms that Stote invented The Rock and that the former company was sold. These references establish the sale history, although they do not detail his personal ownership stake or a separate sale of The Rock brand.
He also supported youth basketball. Stote discussed helping bring Smush Parker to Kingston for youth clinics and helping install baskets at Block Park around 2000. Today, GOAT credits him with basketball construction and material development alongside co-founder Heather Swart.