NBA Star Carmelo Anthony - Top 5 Facts

Grab all the top facts you did not know about the NBA star Carmelo Anthony.

The American professional basketball player Carmelo Anthony plays for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). As a ten-time NBA All-Star and a six-time All-NBA Team member six times.

In college, he played basketball for the Syracuse Orange of Syracuse University and won a national championship with the team as a freshman in 2003. He also earned the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Many people do not know much about the 36-year-old basketball player, so we compiled some facts you need to know about him in the sections below.

Carmelo Anthony's Early Life

Carmelo Anthony was born in the Red Hook housing projects in Brooklyn, New York City. His father, Carmelo Iriarte, born in Manhattan, was born to Puerto Rican parents with African, Spanish, and indigenous ancestry. Carmelo's mother, Mary Anthony, is African-American. Carmelo's father died of cancer when he was two years old.

Carmelo Anthony was born in the Red Hook housing projects in Brooklyn, New York City.
Source: CBS Sports

At the age of eight, Carmelo's family moved to Baltimore, where he developed athletic and survival skills. In the neighborhood, Carmelo lived, violence and drugs were common, and he learned to grow up in that environment. He attended Towson Catholic High School. After graduation, he went to Syracuse University, where he played college football.

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Carmelo Anthony's College Career

Carmelo Anthony played for one season for the basketball team of Syracuse University. During the 2002-03 season with the Syracuse Orange, he averaged 22.2 points and 10.0 rebounds. Carmelo played a big role in leading the team to their first-ever NCAA tournament title in 2003.

Carmelo Anthony played for one season for the basketball team of Syracuse University.
Source: Nunes Magician

In the same season of the NCAA tournament, Carmelo Anthony earned the tournament's Most Outstanding Player Award. His coach at the time even described him as 'the best player in college basketball.' He initially planned to spend 2-3 seasons with the team, but with his extraordinary performance in the tournament, he abandoned college career and declared himself eligible for the 2003 NBA draft.

Carmelo Anthony's Personal Life

Carmelo Anthony - who recently underwent weight loss - is currently married to his wife Alani 'La La' Vazquez. She is a renowned American television personality, New York Times best-selling author, businesswoman, producer, and actress. She is best known as the host of the VH1 reality television reunion shows like 'Flavor of Love,' 'I Love New York,' 'For the Love of Ray J,' and 'Real Chance of Love.'

Carmelo Anthony is currently married to his wife Alani 'La La' Vazquez.
Source: BroBible

The couple were engaged in 2004 and got married on July 10, 2010, at Cipriani's in New York. Carmelo and La La had already welcomed their son Kiyan Carmelo Anthony on March 7, 2007. The family currently resides in Portland, Oregon.

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Carmelo Anthony's Philanthropic Works

Carmelo Anthony is also active in philanthropic works. In 2006, he made substantial charitable donations, including $1.5 million to the Living Classrooms Foundation. Additionally, he made $3 million contributions to Syracuse University for a basketball practice facility.

Carmelo Anthony is also active in philanthropic works.
Source: The SportsRush

During his time with the Denver Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony was a spokesman for the Family Resource Center and helped organize charitable Christmas Parties for underprivileged children. In 2004, Anthony donated $35,000 to the relief efforts following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. For his philanthropic works, Anthony was number eight on 'The Giving Back 30 List of Largest Charitable Donations by Celebrities in 2006' list for contributions totaling $4,282,000.

Carmelo Anthony's Business Ventures And Other Activities

Carmelo Anthony signed his first shoe deal with Jordan Brand in 2003 and made $3.5 million per year for six years. 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.

Carmelo Anthony signed his first shoe deal with Jordan Brand in 2003.
Source: Observer

Carmelo Anthony founded North American Soccer League expansion club Puerto Rico FC in 2015. Despite the financial recession in Puerto Rico, Anthony saw this opportunity as a form of community outreach, as well as a long-term investment in a club that could ultimately be profitable. Anthony is also a fan of English football club Arsenal.

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