Carmelo Anthony has been informed of his election to the Basketball Hall of Fame, according to ESPN reports. Anthony was among the 17 finalists announced by the Hall of Fame in February. The complete class of 2025 is scheduled to be revealed on Saturday at the Men`s Final Four in San Antonio, but news of Anthony`s induction has surfaced prematurely.
Anthony stood out as a highly accomplished candidate for the 2025 Hall of Fame class. Selected as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, Anthony shone throughout his career, notably with the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks. He also played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Los Angeles Lakers. His accolades include 10 All-Star selections, six All-NBA team honors, and the 2013 NBA scoring title. In 2020, Anthony was honored as part of the NBA`s 75th Anniversary Team.
The Basketball Hall of Fame recognizes achievements in both NBA and non-NBA contexts, and Anthony`s compelling case was strengthened by his accomplishments outside of professional basketball. Anthony is widely recognized as a pivotal “one-and-done” player in college basketball history, famously leading Syracuse to their NCAA Championship victory in 2003. Furthermore, he is one of the most decorated Olympians in basketball, having secured gold medals for Team USA in 2008, 2012, and 2016.
Reflecting on his nomination, Anthony stated on his podcast, “For me, that`s it. There`s nothing more in basketball I can achieve. It`s the ultimate recognition, the doorway to history. Considering the Hall of Famers already enshrined and how they paved the way, this is a deeply special moment. I intend to fully embrace and savor this journey.”
LeBron James, a long-time friend of Anthony and fellow member of the 2003 NBA Draft class, publicly congratulated Anthony upon hearing the news.
While Anthony is expected to be the most prominent inductee of this class, several other notable figures are under consideration for enshrinement. Among NBA players, Dwight Howard, an NBA champion with the Lakers in 2020 and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, is another leading candidate. Coaching legends Billy Donovan and Mark Few are also in contention, alongside women`s basketball stars Sue Bird and Maya Moore, who represent a strong group of potential inductees.
Adding to his potential honors, Anthony might be inducted twice in the same year. The `Redeem Team` of the 2008 Olympic Games, featuring Anthony, is also a finalist for Hall of Fame induction, potentially joining the 1960 and 1992 US Olympic Men`s teams already recognized. With Anthony`s individual selection confirmed, anticipation builds for Saturday`s announcement to see if his Olympic teammates will join him in this prestigious honor.
Jasper Hawthorne