After 19 seasons, Carmelo Anthony has called it a career.
The former Knicks who last played with the Lakers in the 2021 season — announced his retirement at age 38 on Monday (May 22).
On his Instagram page, Anthony shared a sentimental timelapse video highlighting his career with Ghostface Killah’s “All That I Got Is You” playing in the background. “I remember the days when I had nothing – just a ball on the court and a dream was something more.” He added, “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.
“But 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.
“With this bittersweet goodbye to the NBA, I am excited at what the future holds for me.”
He ended the video stating, “When people ask what I believe my legacy is, it’s not my feet on the court that comes to mind, nor the awards or praise, because my story has always been more than basketball.
Anthony then passed the torch to his 16-year-old son Kiyan.
“… My legacy now and forever lives on through you.”
Kiyan Anthony is the 16 year-old, 6-foot-4 son of Anthony and Lala Anthony. Kiyan is currently a shooting guard at Long Island Lutheran. He currently holds college offers from Bryant, George Mason, Memphis and Syracuse, where his father won a NCAA national championship in 2003.
Anthony is ninth in NBA history with 28,289 career points — and was voted on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
A 10-time All-Star, Anthony led the Nuggets to the Western Conference finals in the 2009 postseason.
Anthony was selected out of Syracuse with the third overall pick by the Nuggets — after LeBron James (Cavaliers) and Darko Milicic (Pistons) — in the 2003 NBA Draft.
He finished his career with six All-NBA accolades across stints with the Knicks, OKC Thunder, Rockets Trail Blazers and Lakers.