Carmelo Anthony, the star ahead who led Syracuse to a NCAA championship in his lone faculty season and went on to spend 19 years within the NBA, has introduced his retirement.
Anthony, who went unsigned this season, retires because the No.9 scorer in league historical past.
Only LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O’Neal scored greater than Anthony, who finishes his profession with 28,289 factors.
“Now the time has come for me to say good-bye … to the game that gave me purpose and pride,” Anthony mentioned on Monday in a videotaped message asserting his resolution — one he referred to as “bittersweet.”
Anthony ends his taking part in days after being chosen as one of many 75 biggest gamers in NBA historical past, a 10-time All-Star, a previous scoring champion and a six-time All-NBA choice.
And whereas he by no means received to the NBA Finals — he solely performed within the convention finals as soon as, with Denver in opposition to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 — Anthony additionally knew what it was prefer to be a champion.
He was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2003 Final Four when he led Syracuse to the nationwide championship, and he helped the US win Olympic gold thrice — at Beijing in 2008, London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Anthony will stay a part of worldwide basketball for no less than a couple of extra months as one of many ambassadors to the Basketball World Cup, FIBA’s largest occasion, which might be held this summer season within the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
“I remember the days when I had nothing, just a ball on the court and a dream of something more,” Anthony mentioned.
“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 because they made me Carmelo Anthony.”
Anthony was drafted No.3 total by Denver in 2003, a part of the star-studded class that included James at No.1, Hall of Famer Chris Bosh at No.4, and soon-to-be Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade — he will get formally enshrined this summer season — at No.5.
Anthony will be part of them earlier than lengthy — the Hall of Fame mentioned he might be eligible for the 2026 class. He averaged 22.5 factors in his 19 seasons, spending the majority of these years with Denver and the New York Knicks.
“He wore that Nuggets jersey with pride and did a lot of great things while in a Denver Nuggets uniform, as well as all the other uniforms he wore in an illustrious career,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone mentioned Monday earlier than Denver confronted the Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, hoping to clinch the franchise’s first NBA Finals look.
Anthony additionally performed for Portland, Oklahoma City, Houston and ended his profession with the Lakers final season.
“People ask what I believe my legacy is,” Anthony mentioned.
“It’s not my feats on the court that come to mind, all the awards or praise. Because my story has always been more than basketball. My legacy, my son (Kiyan) … I will forever continue through you. The time has come for you to carry this torch.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
