Image commercially licensed from : Unsplash
After a 19-year career in the National Basketball Association (NBA), Carmelo Anthony announced his retirement. Anthony, drafted third overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets, ended his career with 27,370 points, ranking him 10th in the history of the NBA.
Anthony’s career highlights include being named an NBA All-Star ten times and winning the NBA scoring title in the 2012-2013 season. He also won a national championship with Syracuse University in 2003 and three Olympic gold medals with the United States men’s basketball team in 2008, 2012, and 2016.
Early Career
Anthony’s basketball journey began in Baltimore, Maryland, where he attended Towson Catholic High School. He then transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia for junior and senior high school years. Anthony quickly made a name for himself as a high school basketball star, earning the USA Today National High School Player of the Year title in 2002.
After graduating from Oak Hill Academy, Anthony committed to Syracuse University, where he played for one season before declaring for the NBA draft.
NBA Career
Anthony was selected third overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 21.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in his rookie season, earning him the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
Anthony played for the Nuggets for eight seasons before being traded to the New York Knicks in 2011. He spent seven seasons with the Knicks, followed by one season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, one with the Houston Rockets, and two with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Throughout his career, Anthony was known for his scoring ability and ability to create his shot. He was a dominant force on the court and was often considered one of the league’s top scorers. He was also known for his clutch performances in crucial game moments.
Olympic Success
Anthony’s success was more expansive than the NBA. He was also a key United States men’s basketball team member, winning three Olympic gold medals in 2008, 2012, and 2016. Anthony is among only four men’s basketball players to win three Olympic gold medals, alongside LeBron James, Chris Paul, and David Robinson.
Anthony’s Olympic success was highlighted by his performance in the 2012 Olympics in London, where he set the United States men’s Olympic basketball record for most points in a single game with 37 points against Nigeria.
NCAA Championship
Before his NBA and Olympic success, Anthony won a national championship with Syracuse University in 2003. Anthony led the team in scoring, averaging 22.2 points per game, and was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
Anthony’s national championship was the first and only championship in Syracuse’s basketball program history. His performance in the championship game against the University of Kansas, where he scored 20 points and had ten rebounds, cemented his status as a top NBA prospect and set the stage for his successful basketball career.
Conclusion
Anthony’s retirement announcement on September 10th, 2021, was met with an outpouring of support from fans, teammates, and fellow NBA players. Many took to social media to congratulate Anthony on his successful career and wish him well in his retirement.
Anthony’s retirement marks the end of an era in the NBA. His talent and skill on the court will be missed, but his legacy as a basketball icon will be remembered for years.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news and trends in business, entertainment, health, technology, sports, and politics by visiting The Chicago Journal, one of the best news websites online. Take advantage of the stories that matter – Browse for more!
