NBA legend Carmelo Anthony breaks silence on Hall of Fame induction, sends strong message to Knicks

Three years after his definitive retirement from the NBA, Carmelo Anthony will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame during this year’s ceremony. The legend of the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks discussed what this honor means to him.

“This is the greatest accomplishment that I ever will attain,” said Anthony about his Hall of Fame induction, according to reporter Adam Zagoria, who shared the quote on his official X account. The former forward made it clear how proud he is of this recognition, which places him in the exclusive group of the most respected players in NBA history.

In addition to Carmelo, Dwight Howard was also chosen, along with WNBA icons Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Sylvia Fowles. Billy Donovan, head coach of the Chicago Bulls, Micky Arison, managing general partner of the Miami Heat, and NBA referee Danny Crawford will also receive this honor.

It’s important to note that both Anthony and Howard will receive a double recognition. In addition to their individual inductions, the Hall of Fame will also honor them as part of the ‘Redeem Team,‘ the Team USA that won the gold medal in Beijing 2008 after the disappointment in Athens four years earlier.

Carmelo Anthony looks on during a NBL HoopsFest Press Conference at Crown Perth on September 19, 2024 in Perth, Australia.

Carmelo Anthony hopes for honors from the Knicks and Nuggets

In addition to being inducted into the Hall of Fame, NBA legends often receive special recognition from the teams where they made their mark during their careers, particularly the retirement of their jerseys. For Carmelo Anthony, two franchises are especially meaningful to him.

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“I would like to see that jersey in both rafters, Denver and New York,” he said during a recent interview with NJ.com. With the Nuggets, Carmelo played from 2003 to 2011 wearing the number 15 jersey. And with the Knicks, he wore his iconic number 7 from 2011 to 2017. With both teams, he was an All-Star numerous times, and in New York, he was the league’s scoring champion in 2013.

“I would love to see that, man. For me it’s like, why wait? You know, it’s why wait? If you got to think about it, then cool, just let it be,” Anthony added. “A lot of surprises are happening right now around me, so I’m just trying to stay in the moment. And if that’s one of the surprises, then I would be ecstatic about that.”

NBA icons congratulate Carmelo Anthony

After the official announcement that he would be inducted into the Hall of Fame, Carmelo Anthony received messages from several NBA icons, including LeBron James. “Congratulations my brother! Peace God,” wrote the Los Angeles Lakers star on social media.

“Congratulations, Melo, on making it to the Hall of Fame,” said Patrick Ewing in a video shared by the New York Knicks on X. “Basketball’s most elite. Congratulations and welcome to the club. I am so proud of you.”