Carmelo Anthony Biography and Net Worth, Wife, Son, Ethnicity, Nationality, Age, Family Background

Carmelo Anthony is a celebrated professional basketball player from the United States. With ten NBA All-Star selections and six All-NBA Team nods, he is recognized as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.

Anthony made a name for himself in college basketball, leading Syracuse to a national championship as a freshman in 2003. This led to him being selected as the third overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets.

Carmelo Anthony Biography

Carmelo Kyam Anthony, a professional basketball player from the United States, is presently a free agent. He is skilled in both small forward and power forward positions and was born on May 29, 1984, in New York City. At a height of 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) and a weight of 238 lb (108 kg), Anthony is an impressive athlete. ((en.wikipedia.org))

Anthony’s basketball career began at Towson Catholic in Towson, Maryland, before transferring to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. He then attended Syracuse University in 2002-2003, where he led the team to win the NCAA championship as a freshman, earning him the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award. ((britannica.com))

The Denver Nuggets picked Carmelo Anthony with the third overall selection in the 2003 NBA draft. He played for them from 2003 to 2011, leading them to the playoffs every year from 2004 to 2010 and winning two division championships. Anthony also helped the team reach the Conference Finals for the first time since 1985 in 2009.

He joined the New York Knicks in 2011 and played for them until 2017, setting a franchise record by scoring 62 points in a single game against the Charlotte Bobcats on January 24, 2014. Carmelo Anthony played for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017-2018 and had a brief stint with the Houston Rockets in 2018-2019.

He then played for the Portland Trail Blazers from 2019 to 2021 and joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2021-2022 season. ((rookieroad.com)) Carmelo is a ten-time NBA All-Star and a six-time All-NBA Team member. He won the NBA scoring championship once and was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.

Anthony has a bronze medal from the 2004 Olympic Games and three gold medals from the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympic Games. He was named the USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year twice, in 2006 and 2016. In 2021, he was awarded the NBA Social Justice Champion Award. Syracuse University retired his number 15 jersey to honor his accomplishments both on and off the court.

Family Background | Early Life

Carmelo was born in the Red Hook housing projects in Brooklyn, New York City. His father, Carmelo Iriarte, was of African, Spanish, and indigenous ancestry, and his mother, Mary Anthony, is African-American. Iriarte died of cancer when Anthony was two years old. When Anthony turned eight, his family moved to Baltimore.

He was born to Mary, an African American mother, and Carmelo Iriarte, a Puerto Rican father. He has two brothers, Robert and Wilford, and a half-sister, Daphne. Unfortunately, Carmelo Anthony also had another sister, Michelle, who passed away in 2010.

High School Career

Anthony commuted to Towson Catholic High School for his first three years of high school. During the summer of 1999, he grew five inches into the frame of a 6–5 swingman.

He suddenly became one of the area’s top players, being named The Baltimore Sun’s metro player of the year in 2001, as well as Baltimore Catholic League player of the year.

Despite his successful year, Anthony was distracted by all of the attention and was suspended on several occasions for skipping classes.

Transfer to Oak Hill Academy

After his junior year, Division I coaches were lined up to recruit Anthony to a school on the East Coast, which included North Carolina and Syracuse. As Anthony’s grades dropped under a C average and his scores on the ACT were below acceptable standards, he knew that he needed to improve in the classroom to qualify academically for Syracuse.

For his senior year, his mother considered transferring him to a different school. Eventually, he transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, winner of the USA Today 2000–01 high school championship, after talking to Steve Smith, the head coach at basketball powerhouse Oak Hill Academy.

Senior Year at Oak Hill Academy

Oak Hill Academy entered the 2001–02 campaign boasting a 42-game winning streak. The team’s first tournament win came in The Les Schwab Invitational, with Anthony winning the tournament MVP.

Oak Hill won two more big-time tournaments, including the Nike Academy National Invitational where they knocked off then-No. 1 Westchester High School 77–61 in the final, and an anticipated game against St. Vincent – St. Mary High School of Akron, Ohio, where he was matched up with high school phenom LeBron James.

James scored 36 points, while Anthony scored 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Oak Hill to a 72–66 win. The team ended the season ranked third in the country at 32–1. He averaged 21.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists during his senior year at Oak Hill and was named a USA Today All-USA First Team and a Parade First-Team All-American.

Anthony’s High School All-Star Games

Anthony was selected to play in the Jordan Brand Classic, scoring a game-high 27 points, and the 2002 McDonald’s All-American Game, where he played on the same team with two future New York Knicks teammates, Raymond Felton and Amar’e Stoudemire.

In that game, he scored 19 points and won the Sprite Slam Jam dunk contest. His performances at the high school All-Star games helped lift his reputation with HoopScoop ranking him as the nation’s No. 1 high school senior in the class of 2002.

Carmelo Anthony’s College Plans

He announced that he would attend Syracuse University before his senior year, instead of becoming a prep-to-pro player like Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, or Amar’e Stoudemire.

After his junior year of high school, Division I coach began recruiting Carmelo, including North Carolina and Syracuse. However, Carmelo’s grades dropped below a C average, and his ACT scores were below acceptable standards, so he needed to improve his academic performance to qualify for Syracuse.

His mother considered transferring him to a different school for his senior year, and eventually, he transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, winner of the USA Today 2000-01 high school championship, to play for the basketball powerhouse.

Carmelo Anthony’s NBA Prospects

Carmelo played in various tournaments during his senior year, such as the Adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas, where he averaged 25.2 points a game and caught the attention of NBA scouts. He also played at the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival, where he tied LeBron James for the tournament scoring lead at 24 points per game.

Oak Hill Academy entered the 2001-02 season with a 42-game winning streak, and Carmelo led the team to victories in several major tournaments, including the Nike Academy National Invitational and an anticipated game against St. Vincent-St. Mary High School of Akron, Ohio, where he was matched up with high school phenom LeBron James.

Carmelo scored 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Oak Hill to a 72-66 win. Carmelo Anthony’s performances at high school All-Star games helped lift his reputation, with HoopScoop ranking him as the nation’s No. 1 high school senior in the class of 2002.

He struggled with the ACT, and his family and friends wondered whether he would forget about his college plans to attend Syracuse and move on to the NBA. However, he produced the minimum score of 18 in late April and went on to join Syracuse’s basketball team.

Wife | Son

In 2004, Anthony got engaged to Alani “La La” Vazquez, and they welcomed their son, Kiyan Carmelo Anthony, in March 2007. They eventually tied the knot on July 10, 2010, in a lavish ceremony held at Cipriani’s in New York City. The wedding, which was attended by 320 guests, was also filmed for a VH1 reality series titled “La La’s Full Court Wedding.”

Anthony and La La’s Marriage

In April 2017, rumors surfaced that La La had moved out of their apartment, and the couple was living separately. However, they reconciled in December 2018. Unfortunately, the couple’s marriage hit another snag when La La filed for divorce in June 2021.

Carmelo Anthony Net Worth

During his successful NBA career, Carmelo Anthony has been named an NBA All-Star ten times and an All-NBA Team member six times. He has played for several teams, including the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and Portland Trail Blazers.

Net Worth and Earnings

Carmelo Anthony’s net worth in 2023 is estimated to be around $160 million. ((avenuegh.com)) He has earned a significant portion of his wealth from his basketball career, which includes lucrative contracts and endorsements with major brands.

His philanthropic efforts have also contributed to his overall net worth, as he has made substantial charitable donations throughout his career.

Carmelo Anthony currently resides in Portland, Oregon, where he relocated after his trade to the Portland Trail Blazers in November 2019. In 2020, he sold his New York property, which was a townhouse located in the city’s Upper West Side.

Charitable Donations

Carmelo Anthony is known for his charitable contributions, including a $1.5 million donation to the Living Classrooms Foundation. He has also established the Carmelo Anthony Foundation, which aims to provide resources and opportunities to underserved communities across the United States.

Career

Carmelo Kyam Anthony is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 18 seasons. He was born on May 29, 1984, in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Syracuse University for one year before being selected as the third overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.

Tenure with the Denver Nuggets

Anthony guided the Nuggets to the playoffs every season from 2004 to 2010, earning two division championships during that time. He also led the Nuggets to their first appearance in the Conference Finals since 1985 in 2009.

Trade to the New York Knicks

In 2011, Carmelo Anthony was traded to the New York Knicks just before the NBA trade deadline. On January 24, 2014, he achieved a career-high scoring performance of 62 points against the Charlotte Bobcats, establishing a new single-game scoring record for both the Knicks and Madison Square Garden.

Stints with Other Teams

Anthony also played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and the Portland Trail Blazers, before joining the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite moving between teams, he remained a dominant force on the court.

Representing the United States at the Olympics

Anthony has represented the United States at the Olympics a record four times, earning bronze with the 2004 team and gold with the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympic squads. He was the US Olympic team’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, and games played as of April 2016.

Legacy and Accolades

Carmelo Anthony currently holds the 9th position on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, and he was included in the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. His talent, success, and numerous accolades have made him one of the most well-known and respected players in the history of the sport.

College Career

Anthony played for the Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team during the 2002-03 season, leading the team to the National Championship and earning Most Outstanding Player honors in the NCAA Tournament. He averaged 22.2 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game during his college career.

Professional Career

Anthony began his professional career with the Denver Nuggets, where he played from 2003 to 2011. During his time in Denver, he established himself as one of the premier scorers in the league, averaging 24.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.

In 2011, Carmelo Anthony was traded to the New York Knicks, where he played for seven seasons. During his time with the Knicks, he continued to be a prolific scorer, averaging 24.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.

After leaving the Knicks, Anthony played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Houston Rockets, and the Portland Trail Blazers. He was named to the NBA All-Star team 10 times during his career and won a scoring title in the 2012-13 season.

National Team Career

Anthony has also had a successful international career, playing for Team USA in four Olympic Games and winning three gold medals. He also won a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

Player Profile

Anthony was known for his scoring ability, with a career average of 23.8 points per game. He was a versatile scorer who could score from inside and outside the paint, and was also a skilled rebounder and passer. He was a six-time All-NBA selection, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2004.

Career Statistics

During his 18-year NBA career, Anthony played in 1,182 games and averaged 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He had a career shooting percentage of 44.9% from the field, and 34.5% from beyond the arc.

Controversies

Carmelo Anthony, a former NBA player, has had several controversial incidents in his life. Here are some of them:

Marijuana Possession and Stop Snitchin’ Video

In 2004, Anthony was caught with marijuana in his backpack by inspectors at Denver International Airport. However, the charges were dropped after his friend James Cunningham took responsibility for the marijuana.

In the same year, he appeared in a video called Stop Snitchin’, which warned against residents of Baltimore collaborating with the police, leading to violence. Although he later distanced himself from the video, it drew significant criticism.

Traffic Violations and Knicks-Nuggets Brawl

In 2006, Anthony’s friend, Tyler Brandon Smith, was cited for marijuana possession and three traffic violations while driving Anthony’s car. Later that year, Anthony was involved in the infamous Knicks-Nuggets brawl during a game at Madison Square Garden. He was suspended for 15 games as a result.

Driving Under the Influence

In 2008, Anthony was arrested for driving under the influence after being pulled over on Interstate 25 in Denver. He failed a series of sobriety tests and was ticketed before being released to a “sober, responsible party.” The Nuggets suspended Anthony for two games due to the arrest. He pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while ability-impaired and was sentenced to one year of probation, 24 hours of community service, and a fine of US$1,000.

Controversy with South Bronx Community Activists

Anthony has also faced criticism from South Bronx community activists for his association with Mott Haven developer Keith Rubenstein’s efforts to build luxury apartment buildings in the neighborhood. They fear it may lead to gentrification, and his support for the project has drawn significant criticism.

In Conclusion

Carmelo Anthony is more than just a basketball player, with a career that includes guest appearances, shoe deals, car racing, and even a soccer club. Here are some highlights of his career beyond basketball:

• Acting and Music Videos: Anthony has made several appearances in TV shows, music videos, and films, including the Showtime series Nurse Jackie, FX series Sons of Anarchy, and the Chinese film Amazing.
• Shoe Deal: In 2003, Anthony signed a shoe deal with Jordan brand, and in 2004, his first signature shoe, the Jordan Carmelo 1.5, was released. As of 2018, thirteen shoes have been released in the Melo line.
• Car Racing: In 2006, Anthony partnered with Hemelgarn Racing to campaign a car driven by P. J. Chesson in the 2006 IndyCar Series season.
• Merchandising Cooperation: Anthony also participated in a merchandising cooperation with Nickelodeon for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, where he made several guest appearances.
• Soccer Club: In 2015, Anthony founded the Puerto Rico FC, a North American Soccer League expansion club, as a form of community outreach and long-term investment.
• Production Company: In 2021, Anthony launched a production company called Creative 7, named after his New York Knicks jersey number 7.

Carmelo Anthony’s diverse career beyond basketball shows his versatility as a businessman and entertainer. Thank you for reading the full biographical information of Carmelo Kyam Anthony (born May 29, 1984).

Our blog is one of the fast-rising blogs that provide individuals with all the background information about celebrities around the world. You can also check out the full Wikipedia biography and net worth of Matty Healy.