Before he was a 10-time NBA All-Star and an 3X Olympic Gold Medalist, Carmelo Anthony was a kid from Baltimore with a dream. To escape the tough environment he grew up in, Melo used basketball to develop his skills on the blacktops where respect was earned with every bucket.
His talent became undeniable at Oak Hill Academy, where he became one of the most sought-after high school prospects in the country. Then came Syracuse University, where Melo’s impact was immediate. In just one season, he led the Orange to their first-ever NCAA Championship in 2003, dropping 20 points and 10 rebounds in the title game. That run wasn’t just legendary—it put him on the map as a future NBA superstar.
Drafted third overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, Carmelo Anthony entered the league alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. While LeBron was making headlines in Cleveland, Melo was turning Denver into a contender.
From the moment Camelo Anthony stepped on the NBA court on October 29, 2003, you could tell he was built different. It was always more than a game for him. He was playing to cement his name in history. And he did. With the Denver Nuggets, he wasted no time establishing himself as one of the league’s best scorers, averaging 21 points per game as a rookie. His most dominant season came in 2012-13 with the New York Knicks, where he led the league in scoring with 28.7 points per game, won the scoring title, and carried the Knicks to their best playoff run in years. Madison Square Garden was Melo’s kingdom! The Garden is the place where he dropped 62 points in a single game, a franchise record.
Over the next 19 NBA seasons, Melo became known for his offensive bag—footwork, strength, and a jumper smoother than a classic 90s R&B track. He made getting buckets look effortless.
Throughout his career, Melo racked up accolades:
In 2023, Carmelo Anthony announced his retirement, closing the book on a legendary career. He left the game as the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history. When Melo walked away from the game, he did so on his own terms, with nothing left to prove. But retirement? That was just the next phase. He took everything he learned from the league such as discipline, strategy, & patience and applied it to the business world.
For many athletes, retirement can be an identity crisis. For Carmelo Anthony, it was a pivot. The transition from elite hooper to business mogul wasn’t accidental—it was intentional. Melo said, “I don’t want to just be an athlete… I want to be bigger than that. I want to shape my own destiny.” That mindset led Carmelo to take a calculated approach to wealth-building. His portfolio is as diverse as his game, with business ventures spanning wine, tech, media, and fashion.
One of his standout moves is his premium wine brand VII(N) The Seventh Estate. A known wine connoisseur, Melo tapped into the billion-dollar industry, delivering bottles that reflect his refined taste. “Wine is truly a part of the NBA culture,” he said. And he set out to be a part of that industry. Carmelo took it to another level by bringing his passion full circle. VII(N) The Seventh Estate, is now available at Madison Square Garden—the very arena where he cemented his legacy as a Knicks icon.
Melo didn’t stop there. His influence extends into fashion with StayMe7o, his personal brand.
STAYME7O is a lifestyle and fashion brand that reflects his evolution as both an athlete and a cultural icon. His style has always been a statement. Whether he was front row at Fashion Week or stepping into Madison Square Garden in a tailored suit, Melo’s fashion sense was always ahead of the game. STAYME7O embodies that same energy, bringing a mix of high-end aesthetics and everyday wearability to those who appreciate style with purpose.
Carmelo Anthony became an investor in PlayersTV, an athlete media network dedicated to giving athletes full control over their stories and content. The platform showcases original shows, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes content that highlight the culture, lifestyle, and business moves of professional athletes. This business move for Carmelo was about empowering players to tell their stories on their terms.
Beyond his own businesses, Melo has invested in tech startups, media platforms, and social justice initiatives. Through the Carmelo Anthony Foundation, he has remained active in community work, youth programs, and education efforts.
And now, to top it all off, Carmelo Anthony is officially being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
It’s the ultimate recognition for a career built on skill, heart, and an unwavering dedication to the game. Carmelo set himself up for success long after the game was over. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the final stamp on one of the most complete legacies in basketball history. Melo isn’t just a basketball great. He’s a cultural icon. A businessman. A storyteller. And now, Hall of Famer.
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