This year’s grads are lucking out and then some with the commencement speaker.
Syracuse University unveiled who will be this year’s main speaker for Commencement, and graduating seniors are getting quite the treat with this Syracuse Orange men’s basketball legend.
Carmelo Anthony, who guided the Orange to their only NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship and went on to have a productive and successful career after, will deliver SU’s 2025 Commencement address, the university announced Tuesday.
“I’m excited to be returning to the Dome to celebrate the amazing achievements of these graduates,” Carmelo Anthony wrote in an SU news release. “This is a full-circle moment, and serves as a powerful reminder of how education, resilience and a supportive community can empower you to achieve your dreams. Go Orange!”
Carmelo Anthony, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 finalist who helped lead @Cuse_MBB to the 2003 NCAA Championship, will deliver @SyracuseU‘s 2025 Commencement address. We can’t wait to welcome Melo back to campus on May 11!
https://t.co/K1Nwkf98vd pic.twitter.com/4xMbOVJUTH— Syracuse University News (@SyracuseUNews) April 1, 2025
Anthony joined SU at the start of the century. Behind one of the best one-and-done seasons in college basketball history, ‘Melo and Syracuse took home the 2003 NCAA Championship.
After being drafted third overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, Anthony went on to have a 19-year career in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angles Lakers.
When the dust finally settled, Anthony would make six All-NBA teams and 10 All-Star teams. He also secured a spot on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team. As of now, ‘Melo also still stands as the 10th all-time leading scorer in league history.
Anthony also finished his professional hoops career as one of the most accomplished Olympians in recent history for Team USA. He competed in four straight Summer Olympics between 2004 and 2016, where he helped push Team USA to gold medal finishes in three of them.
Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Images
Anthony also built up a well-deserved reputation as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and media personality. He started up his global estate brand VII(N) The Seventh Estate and his lifestyle brand STAYME7O. Anthony most recently started up 7pm in Brooklyn, a podcast and digital series focused on talking basketball and culture.
“Carmelo Anthony played a pivotal role in one of the most storied moments in Syracuse University history,” SU Chancellor Kent Syverud wrote in the release. “His exceptional talent, relentless work ethic and athletic excellence are matched by his unwavering commitment to giving back, especially in creating opportunities for young people and aspiring student-athletes.”
SU’s class of 2025, families of graduates and any other guests will be able to catch Anthony’s address in-person on Sunday, May 11, at 9:30 a.m. at the JMA Wireless Dome.