One of the best scorers in NBA history is officially Springfield-bound.
On Wednesday, Basketball Hall of Fame voters notified Carmelo Anthony that he will be inducted on the first ballot as part of the 2025 class, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Anthony was a 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA selection, scoring champ and a member of the league’s 75th Anniversary Team across his 19 seasons in the Association. He also retired top-10 on the NBA’s scoring list and won three Olympic gold medals for Team USA.
First ballot: Carmelo Anthony has been notified that he’s been elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025, sources tell ESPN. Anthony made 10 All-Star appearances and six All-NBA teams in 19 seasons to go along with three Olympic gold medals for Team USA. pic.twitter.com/b079xHPqZB
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 2, 2025
Melo wasted no time establishing himself as a premier scoring threat with the Nuggets after carrying Syracuse to a national title in his one-and-only season with the Orange and winning Most Outstanding Player honors.
Denver drafted him third overall in the historic ’03 draft class that included fellow all-time greats like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Many actually thought Carmelo should’ve won Rookie of the Year over LeBron after averaging 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game on the way to leading the Nuggets to their first playoff appearance in nine seasons.
Numerous ex-players have said that Anthony was the hardest player they ever had to guard thanks to his blend of size, speed, footwork and relentlessness in hunting his shot — including the late Kobe Bryant.
Melo spent the majority of his career with the Nuggets and Knicks before bouncing around a bit towards the end of NBA journey with the Thunder, Rockets, Blazers and Lakers.
Carmelo is on the short list of best scorers to ever play the game and his son, Kiyan, appears to be following in his footsteps. Congrats to Melo on the crowning achievement of his 19 memorable years in professional basketball!
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