On Monday, basketball veteran Carmelo Anthony revealed that he is leaving the NBA after 19 seasons, 10 All-Star appearances, and the No. 9 scoring position in league history.
“I remember the days when I had nothing,” he said in a video of his career highlights. “Just a ball on the court and a dream of something more. But basketball was my outlet. My purpose was strong, my communities, the cities I represented with pride, and the fans that supported me along the way. I am forever grateful for those people and places ’cause they made me – Carmelo Anthony.”
Before being chosen third overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2003 NBA Draft, Anthony spent one season at Syracuse University, where he won a national title. In seven of his eight seasons there, the team made the playoffs.
Since then, he has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent his final season, as well as the New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, and New York Knicks.
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He has one bronze and three gold Olympic medals; his 28,289 points are the ninth-most in league history. LeBron James, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, Wilt Chamberlain, and Shaquille O’Neal are all ahead of him in the standings.
“I just want to say congratulations, my brother…I can sit here and talk for hours and hours and hours, and I’m just so proud of you, man, and so blessed and humbled to be a part of your journey,” said James, who was in the same draft class and played on the Olympic and Lakers teams with Anthony. “You’re one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen play.” You can see below:
“You’re one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen.”
LeBron, AD, and Rui share their congratulations to @carmeloanthony. pic.twitter.com/vfiU46TkJ0
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 22, 2023
“Future Hall of Famer!!” his former Olympic and Rockets teammate Chris Paul tweeted. You can check below:
Future Hall of Famer!! Salute @carmeloanthony 🫡 #StayMe7o pic.twitter.com/ssRFzzzQUh
— Chris Paul (@CP3) May 22, 2023
“20 years of excellence. Thank you for making us part of it,” the Syracuse men’s basketball team said.
20 years of excellence. Thank you for making us part of it, @carmeloanthony 🫡#STAYME7O pic.twitter.com/sRjPfcw75e
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) May 22, 2023
Anthony said that his 16-year-old son Kiyan, a star high school basketball player, will be his greatest legacy.
“Now the time has come for me to say goodbye to the court where I made my name, to the game that gave me purpose and pride,” Anthony said. “With this bittersweet goodbye to the NBA, I am excited about what the future holds for me.”
