Carmelo Anthony was recently on television letting anyone who would listen that he wants to play basketball again. Melo had his agent reach out to a number of teams. Looks like Melo also reached out to USA Basketball expressing his interest in playing in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, but the two don’t look like they’ll be a match.
USA Basketball Managing Director Jerry Colangelo told SI.com in an interview, that USA Basketball would be moving forward with a new group. Colangelo said that he has a deep respect and appreciation for the 3-time gold medalist, Anthony. Carmelo was the 2016 USA Basketball Co-Male Athlete of the Year and there is a pretty good evidence showing that Melo is the greatest player to wear a USA Basketball jersey.
Colangelo continued on about Anthony saying:
“He made a great contribution. He was a very good international player. But for where we are and what we’re doing, that conceivably could have been a distraction. I understand why the request was made. He’s trying to reestablish himself. I think that has to be done in the [NBA].”
It is a surprise to some people that USA Basketball did not accept Carmelo Anthony to the team. A lot of the big names for USA basketball have turned down their invitations like Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal. Team USA is looking to be carried by youth this year. Young up and coming stars Kemba Walker, Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum are trying to bring home the gold.
If you remember recently Carmelo Anthony’s astranged wife Lala Anthony was interview saying she thought it was disrespectful that Melo wasn’t invited to USA basketball. Carmelo’s future in basketball is starting to look dark.
Flip the page to see a video of Carmelo Anthony’s greatest USA Basketball highlights.