Bio
Carmelo Anthony is an American professional basketball player best known as a team member of the Denver Nuggets, from 2003-2011, and the New York Knicks, since 2011.
Anthony, one of the top scorers in the NBA, sometimes finds himself in a unique position - under the radar.
A prolific scorer with the uncanny ability to drive to the basket and earn trips to the free throw line, yet he often doesn't garner as much of the spotlight as some of his fellow '03 draft members.
Maybe it has to do with his easy going personality, aptly defined by his nickname "Melo", or maybe it's just the idea that he prefers to let his work both on and off the court speak for itself. Either way, Melo is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with.
Since arriving in the NBA, Melo has not only been one of the top scorers in the league, he has also diversified himself as a player, a family man, a businessman and a philanthropist.
He is a member of the exclusive and coveted Team Jordan athletes, annually releasing a top-selling signature sneaker. In addition, Melo has cultivated brand partnerships with PowerAde, Panini, Cisco, Topps and EA Sports, being the only player to appear on the cover of all three EA sports basketball franchises.
Most importantly, Melo has excelled off the court through his philanthropic efforts. In 2005, a mere 2 seasons into the league and at only 21 years old, he established The Carmelo Anthony Foundation (CAF), the vehicle with which he and his family would give back to the community through a variety of outreach programs and donations.
Just one year later in 2006, The Giving Back Fund, the premier philanthropic resource for the sports and entertainment communities, ranked Carmelo in their top ten of the "Giving Back 30" report surrounding celebrity philanthropists in America.
He was the only basketball player on this list, and was joined in the top tier by celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Tiger Woods.
Prior to being drafted 3rd overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets, the game of basketball took Melo from the mean streets of Baltimore to Syracuse University where he lead the Orangemen to their first National Championship.
Afterwards, Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim described him as "by far, the best player in college basketball. It wasn't even close. Nobody was even close to him last year in college basketball. That's the bottom line".
Once in the league Anthony led the Nuggets to two divisional titles and to the playoffs every season since his rookie year. As a member of the USA National team "Melo" continues to prove to his fans, teammates and coaches that he is a hard worker, a leader and a competitor.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics proved to be the perfect display of his passion, maturity and excellence for the sport - and winning the Gold Medal has been the ultimate token of redemption, success and global recognition for the NBA All-Star and two-time Olympian.
Adding to his long list of awards and accolades, in July 2008 Anthony was honoured as Basketball Player of the Year at the 1st Annual Univision Premios Deportes, an awards show celebrating the best of Hispanic athletes.
Melo proudly accepted the award in appreciation of his Puerto Rican father, Carmelo Sr., who passed away when Melo was just two years old.
Off the court, Melo has a heart for the community, donating both time and money to causes in Denver, Baltimore and Syracuse. Whether it's through his youth development centre, 3 on 3 basketball tournament in Baltimore or working with local charities in Denver, he strives to impact the lives of the less fortunate.
He also committed $3-million toward the construction of the basketball practice facility at his alma mater, Syracuse University.
Always looking for new and creative ways to give back, in 2009 he started the Courts 4 Kids program along with his college coach, Jim Boeheim. Together they find and refurbish courts in underserved areas, the first of which was completed in the summer of 2009 in Syracuse.
On a personal level, Melo has two loves - spending time with his family, and hi-tech gadgets. He currently resides in Denver, CO with his wife La La Vazquez and their son Kiyan.
Not having the opportunity to know his father, he wants his son to grow up knowing how much he is loved. He spends as much time as possible with Kiyan and Lala. Whether it's the three of them going to the park, or father and son going to the barbershop, investing in his family's future is of the utmost importance.
As for his love of gadgets, Melo is a techie for sure. He loves playing the latest video games on all of his gaming systems as well as discovering new capabilities with his Macs and HP Touchsmart computers. He is known to have the latest gadgets and will travel with them when possible.
Carmelo Anthony continues to command attention on basketball courts and in communities around the world through his hard work, leadership and commitment to providing opportunities for others to make the most of their talents and abilities.
And as he expands his reach through both his foundation and business endeavours, Melo's days under the radar are sure to be short lived.