Why Is Knicks Star Carmelo Anthony in a 'Game of Thrones' Promo?

There is no shortage of knife-wielding men – and one flaxen-haired woman – vying for the Iron Throne on HBO's "Game of Thrones," which returns to the tube on Sunday. So how is it that New York Knicks basketball star Carmelo Anthony landed in the coveted seat in a new promo spot for the show?

"I'm a big fan of 'Game of Thrones,'" the 28-year-old hoops hero told Yahoo! TV at Degree's Do:More event at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. "It came to my desk and it was just a matter of me wanting to do it.

"It felt good doing it, too – to be able to sit there in that chair, on that throne," he continued, flashing his trademark smile. "Not too many people can say they did that."

[Related: 'Game of Thrones' Actor Gets Part of His Ear Bitten Off]

So what was it like to sit in that seat? Well, a little chilly actually.

"It wasn't comfortable – I'll tell you that," laughed Anthony, who muses about victory, defeat, and legacy in the promo, which features teaser clips as well as footage of the athlete on the court and on the throne. "It was actually cold. But it looked good!"

[Related: Natalie Dormer Appalled by 'Game of Thrones' Co-Star Sophie Turner's TV Watch List]

Anthony, who made a guest appearance as a fallen pro basketball player on "Nurse Jackie" last year, is having fun exploring some of his interests outside the hardwood arena. In addition to dabbling in acting, he loves boxing, which he was a doing a little of at the Degree event.

"Basketball is what I do. That's my passion," he said. "But I also try to find passion in other things that are out there."

[Related: Emilia Clarke Was Not the First Choice to Play Daenerys Targaryen on 'Game of Thrones']

"Game of Thrones" returns Sunday, 3/31 at 9 PM on HBO.