Like many professional basketball legends, Carmelo Anthony has recently been inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Today he is a member of the renowned Class of 2025. Today’s announcement is a reflection of his stellar career and influence on both the professional and amateur game. Anthony’s road to stardom began in 2003 when the Denver Nuggets selected him third overall. That decision would lead him on a magical journey with NBA greats LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, who were selected first and fifth, respectively, in that same draft.
During his tenure with the Nuggets, Anthony soon proved to be an unstoppable force on the offensive end. He went on to average 24.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 564 games over eight seasons in the league. In 2013, he proved his insane scoring ability by winning the NBA’s scoring title. His continued success in the league’s biggest moments proved he could do it all. He scored an incredible 28,289 points over the course of his career. This incredible feat landed him a place as the 10th highest scorer in NBA history.
Then in 2011, there was a big trade that sent Anthony to the New York Knicks, where he kept producing at a high level. So much so he only played 412 games to the Knicks. In doing so, he brought up a tremendous stat line of 24.7 points, 7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. His impact on the team was undeniable, as he became a ten-time NBA All-Star and earned six All-NBA selections throughout his career.
Anthony was more than his professional accolades, notably boasting a remarkable collegiate career at Syracuse University. The Hall of Famer guided the Orange to an NCAA title in 2003. His phenomenal performance throughout the tournament secured his place as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Though that early success was limited in some ways, it definitely set a solid foundation for his transition to the NBA.
Anthony wasn’t done on the court as his greatest contributions came off the court after donning a USA jersey in international play. He achieved outstanding success by winning gold medals in three consecutive Olympic Games, 2008, 2012, and 2016. This remarkable feat certainly solidified his legacy as one of basketball’s all-time greats.
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