MADRID, 22 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The American forward Carmelo Anthony has announced his retirement as a professional player on Monday at the age of 38 and after 19 seasons in the NBA, saying “goodbye” to a sport that gave him “purposes and pride” in a “bittersweet” decision, as announced the athlete in their social networks.
“I remember the days when I had nothing, just a ball on the court and a dream. But basketball was my outlet. My purpose was strong, my communities, the cities I proudly represented and the fans who supported me along the way. Now the time has come to say goodbye to the sport that gave me purpose and pride,” Anthony advanced in statements during a video shared on his social media profiles.
The player makes this “bittersweet” decision at the age of 38, already a myth and idol of the NBA, a competition he has played for 19 seasons, since 2003, with the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers and one last adventure in Los Angeles Lakers last year.
The forward, ten times ‘All-Star’, retires as the ninth leading scorer in NBA history with 28,289 points scored, second only to legends such as LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan , Dirk Nowitzki, Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O’Neal.
Anthony gave a good account of his unique and different style during the almost two decades in which he averaged more than 22 points per game. His ability and leadership ability allowed him, in addition to becoming a figure, to be among the 75 best players in the history of the competition prepared by the NBA itself.
Without titles in the American league, Carmelo did achieve four Olympic medals with the United States, hanging three golds (2008, 2012, 2016) and one bronze (2004), to become the player with the most Olympic medals in all of history.