Fred Cantor is taking a trip down memory lane.

What You Need To Know

  • While stuck in quarantine, Fred Cantor spent months thinking of his childhood in Queens and his six-decade love affair with the New York Knicks 

  • That became the subject of his new book, "Fred from Fresh Meadows: A Knicks Memoir" 

  • All of the proceeds from the book benefit the John Starks Foundation, which provides scholarships to kids in need

“Obviously I’ve been back over the years, but this is the first time in five years,” said Cantor, an author.

Cantor spent months in quarantine — thinking of his childhood in Fresh Meadows.

“A paradise for kids. You could walk to everything, there were plenty of places to play sports. And we did play everything under the sun,” said Cantor.

It’s in the school yard behind P.S.179 that he first learned how to play basketball with his brother Marc — and a six decade love affair with the New York Knicks began.

“It really was because they were the local team. And quite frankly, they weren’t very good. They missed the playoffs the first seven years that I watched them. They didn’t have a winning record until I was in ninth grade. But the whole thing back then was people were loyal to the local team. And I’ve been loyal to them through thick and thin,” said Cantor.

And that loyalty is now in print. Cantor’s new book “Fred from Fresh Meadows” reflects on his journey as a Knicks fan over the years.

“It started out as a personal pandemic project — something to transport me far away while I was confined to the apartment,” said Cantor.

And his love for the Knicks — runs in the family. In fact, there's three generations of season ticket holders. Starting with his 94-year-old mother Pearl.

“I watch the Knicks. I like Randle and Quickley. They needed another strong man. He can't carry it. And he’s got a little bit of a temper I’m afraid,” said Pearl Cantor, Fred’s Mother.

And his nephew Samuel.

“Going as a kid and you going to the Garden, I mean you just — there’s a buzz, there’s an aura, there’s an energy. I got hooked ever since,” said Samuel Cantor, Fred’s nephew.

Cantor’s book is also for a good cause. All of the proceeds benefit the John Starks Foundation — a charity started by the Knicks legend, which gives scholarships to kids in need.

Now, Cantor is looking forward to the next chapter — this season of Knicks basketball.

"The fans have remained loyal and now they’re reaping the rewards because this season you can see the same kind of progress that was made in the mid ‘60s when the Knicks made their rise to the championship,” said Cantor.

He's hoping this story comes full circle.