![\"Sopranos,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DIABMI4OFBBFXL5HUMGQFWB56M.JPG\")
Actor Steve Schirripa signs autographs for fans at a Q&A to fundraise for the Staten Island Mavericks on Jan. 31, 2026.Michael O’Brien<\/p>\nSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y.\u2014 He \u201csat down\u201d with the tri-state\u2019s toughest during encounters with mobsters as Bobby Baccala in The Sopranos, but Steve Schirripa was on Staten Island this Saturday for a different kind of meeting, participating in a Q&A\u2014 moderated by longtime CBS radio DJ Joe Causi\u2014 in support of borough AAU basketball team, the Staten Island Mavericks.<\/p>\n
Hosted at Bernstein Intermediate School in Huguenot, the event drew a crowd of fans, families, and basketball supporters. Schirripa and Causi fielded questions from attendees, revisited some of the actor\u2019s most memorable on-camera moments, and posed for photos with fans, all while helping raise funds for the Mavericks\u2014 a cause Schirripa said he was more than happy to support.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was a kid, I played in basketball leagues everywhere; we were always short on money and always needed things, so if I could help out a little bit, it was my pleasure and honor,\u201d Schirripa, who went on to play basketball at Brooklyn College, told the Advance\/SILive.com.<\/p>\n
\u201cBobby [Hart] is a good guy who does a lot for the program and for the kids. I\u2019ve been there, so I know what it\u2019s about and I was happy to do it,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
Causi, a New York radio mainstay for decades, echoed those sentiments, noting his long-standing commitment to community causes across Staten Island.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust like I do for other charities on the Island I always like to come out when I can,\u201d Causi said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve worked with Steve before for Sirius satellite, so we\u2019ve done stuff like this for a while. Working with him is always interesting because you never know what\u2019s going to come out of his mouth next,\u201d he added with a laugh.<\/p>\n
Hart himself said the fundraising total collected by the Mavericks was a success and that the event received positive feedback from all involved, both from longtime fans of Schirripa and members of the local basketball community.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve received many text messages and some phone calls from people; they were happy they got to meet Steve, and there were even some people who go back with him for over 50 years. All in all it was a win for everyone,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n
Actor Steve Schirripa signs autographs for fans at a Q&A to fundraise for the Staten Island Mavericks on Jan. 31, 2026.Michael O’Brien<\/p>\n
Perhaps Schirripa\u2019s willingness to support youth hoops on the Island shouldn\u2019t be surprising, given his lifelong love for basketball\u2014 from his frequent courtside appearances at Knicks games to his days playing college ball at Brooklyn College, a time he looked back on fondly during the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was great; probably the best time of my life, I enjoyed it tremendously,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI played for three years and got to travel the country, I loved it. Some of the guys that I played with are here, it was good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schirripa also shared that he lived on Staten Island for a brief period during the filming of The Sopranos, further strengthening his connection to the borough. When asked if he had any favorite local spots to grab a bite during that time, he didn\u2019t hesitate with his answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like Ariemma\u2019s,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a lot of their sandwiches. Good deli, good guys, good people good family. That\u2019s what I liked a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finally, speaking of The Sopranos, its status as one of the most quotable shows in television history has produced countless laughs while still standing as a prestige drama. Schirripa believes one character, in particular, delivered the funniest moments.<\/p>\n
\u201cUncle Junior had the best lines,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
![\"Sopranos,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/3XRWK4LSRNGA3BMZ4IYHVAZ4LU.JPG\")
Actor Steve Schirripa poses with attendees at a Q&A to support the Staten Island Mavericks on Jan. 31, 2026.Michael O’Brien<\/p>\n
\u201cPaulie had great lines, and they gave me some great lines too. It is so quotable; \u2018Half a tray of manicotti,\u2019 \u2018I\u2019m in awe of you; they definitely gave me some great stuff,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n