Carmelo Anthony has officially been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, cementing the former Olympian and NBA star as one of the greatest basketball players of the new millennium.
On Saturday (Sept. 6), Carmelo Anthony accepted the honor at the annual Hall of Fame ceremony, which took place at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts. Fellow NBA legends Allen Iverson and Dwyane Wade welcomed Anthony into the hall, with both players sharing their experiences competing with and playing alongside the Brooklyn native.
During his induction speech, Anthony reflected on his basketball journey, expressing gratitude to those who have inspired him and helped him along the way. At one point, he credited his children, son Kiyan Anthony, and daughter Genesis Anthony as being the driving forces in his life.
“Your father isn’t perfect, but he is proof that struggle doesn’t mean surrender,” Anthony said, speaking directly to them. “Proof that the road can be rough and still lead to glory.”
He continued, emotionally adding, “Raising children in this world is revolutionary. My kids saved me. They gave me a reason to move past ego, past noise, past criticism. They remind me that legacy isn’t what you leave behind, but what you lift up.”
A former high school standout and McDonald’s All-American, Anthony attended the University of Syracuse for one year, leading the program to their first NCAA basketball championship in the school’s history. Leaving Syracuse after his freshman year, the swingman was selected third overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2003 NBA Draft, quickly becoming one of the most electrifying talents in the league. Spending several years with the Nuggets, Carmelo was traded to the New York Knicks in 2011, where he helped lead the downtrodden franchise back to relevance.
Following his time with the Knicks, Anthony spent stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Portland Trailblazers, and Los Angeles Lakers before retiring in 2023. Considered one of the premier scorers of his era, Anthony’s accolades include three Olympic gold medals, ten NBA All-Star selections, and a league scoring title. He was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, an honor only bestowed upon those regarded among the greatest to have played the game.
See some photos from Carmelo Anthony’s Hall of Fame induction that capture the magnitude of the historic moment.
2025 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala Program – Portraits
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony poses for a portrait during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement tip-off celebration and awards gala at Mohegan Sun on September 5, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
2025 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala Program – Portraits
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony poses for a portrait during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement tip-off celebration and awards gala at Mohegan Sun on September 5, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
2025 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala Program – Portraits
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony poses for a portrait during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement tip-off celebration and awards gala at Mohegan Sun on September 5, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
2025 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala Program – Portraits
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony poses for a portrait during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement tip-off celebration and awards gala at Mohegan Sun on September 5, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
2025 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala Program – Portraits
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony poses for a portrait during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement tip-off celebration and awards gala at Mohegan Sun on September 5, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
2025 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala Program – Portraits
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony poses for a portrait during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement tip-off celebration and awards gala at Mohegan Sun on September 5, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
2025 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala Program – Portraits
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony poses for a portrait during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement tip-off celebration and awards gala at Mohegan Sun on September 5, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony addresses the crowd as Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson look on during the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on September 06, 2025 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony hugs Dwyane Wade as Allen Iverson looks on during the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on September 06, 2025 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony looks on during the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on September 06, 2025 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
2025 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala Program – Portraits
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony poses for a portrait during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement tip-off celebration and awards gala at Mohegan Sun on September 5, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
2025 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala Program – Portraits
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony poses for a portrait during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement tip-off celebration and awards gala at Mohegan Sun on September 5, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
2025 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala Program – Portraits
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony poses for a portrait during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement tip-off celebration and awards gala at Mohegan Sun on September 5, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
2025 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala Program – Portraits
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony poses for a portrait during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement tip-off celebration and awards gala at Mohegan Sun on September 5, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
2025 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala Program – Portraits
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony poses for a portrait during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement tip-off celebration and awards gala at Mohegan Sun on September 5, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
2025 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala Program – Portraits
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony poses for a portrait during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement tip-off celebration and awards gala at Mohegan Sun on September 5, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
2025 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala Program – Portraits
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony poses for a portrait during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement tip-off celebration and awards gala at Mohegan Sun on September 5, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony addresses the crowd as Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson look on during the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on September 06, 2025 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony addresses the crowd during the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on September 06, 2025 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony addresses the crowd during the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on September 06, 2025 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony shakes hands with Allen Iverson during the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on September 06, 2025 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
Image Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony hugs Allen Iverson during the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on September 06, 2025 in Springfield, Massachusetts.