‘Melo is closing in on being inducted into basketball immortality.
A well-know Syracuse Orange basketball legend is now one step closer to officially being named a Hall of Famer.
Carmelo Anthony, who had arguably the best one-and-done college freshman season ever and helped propel the program to its only NCAA Championship in 2003, was one of 17 notable basketball figures named a finalist for the class of 2025 of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Naismith Hall of Fame made the announcement during NBA All-Star Weekend. Among men’s players, the finalists are Anthony, Dwight Howard, Marques Johnson and Buck Williams.
Anthony could become the fourth person from the Syracuse men’s basketball program to be named to the Hall of Fame. The others include Dave Bing, Jim Boeheim and Victor “Vic” Hanson.
Humbled and honored #STAYME7O https://t.co/HZvxYRfVUm
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) February 15, 2025
Anthony’s resume features success at three levels: college, the NBA and the Olympics.
He was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player and guided Syracuse to a championship win in 2003 as a freshman. After being drafted No. 3 overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, ‘Melo enjoyed a 19-year career. He would be named an All-Star 10 times and make All-NBA six times. Anthony also earned a spot on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
Sandwiched in the middle of his professional career was winning three gold medals at the Olympic Games in 2008, 2012 and 2016 with Team USA.
Anthony and the rest of the finalists will be put forward to the Honors Committee to be considered for selection, according to the Naismith Hall of Fame. The class of 2025 for the Hall of Fame will be announced on Saturday, April 5th during this year’s men’s college basketball Final Four.