Carmelo Anthony was raised by a single mother, as his father passed away due to cancer. With his love for basketball, all Melo hoped for was to help his mom. Growing up in Red Hook and Baltimore Projects, it was clear for the 10x All-Star that in order to achieve success, he would eventually have to move out from those areas. However, recently the Knicks legend shared a “different perspective” in wanting to return to his roots.
During the conversation with Cigars and Spirits Magazine, Carmelo Anthony opened up about his achievements and how his background fueled him for success. He called it a “full-circle moment.” Because the interview was happening in a podcast studio in Red Hook. “It’s a full-circle moment because where we’re sitting right now in Red Hook is where I was born. To your point, growing up here, we couldn’t come back to this area—our parents would tell us, ‘Don’t go back there.‘”
Now that he has achieved success not just on hardwood but creating wealth with different business endeavors, Melo wants to be an inspiration. “Fast forward to where we are now, and I wanted to return to the place they said I couldn’t. But this time, I’m coming back with a different perspective.” With a single mother raising three children, life for the Syracuse champion wasn’t always easy. This is why, even after success, Anthony can clearly remember his roots and those struggling days.
“It keeps you grounded. It gives you humility. This is the clear disparity of what I had to deal with growing up, and now, I can be a representation of that back here in the place they told me I couldn’t go back to,” said Melo. In 2005, just two years after his NBA debut, he created The Carmelo Anthony Foundation.’
A charitable organization to help children and families living in impoverished and underserved areas by providing educational support, outreach programs, and donation services. Melo’s success stems from the hard work and discipline that his mother instilled in him.
Carmelo Anthony’s goal to help his mother was simple
Last month, The Oak Hill Academy awarded him and his then coach Steve Smith with Lifetime Achievement Awards. The legendary head basketball coach served for 37 years and announced his retirement in 2022. During the speech, Melo admitted the influence of his Coach, who helped him mold his attention on helping out his mother. “I didn’t realize or recognize what was our goals. My goal was really to get her (pointing at his mom) out of West Baltimore, that’s it.”
Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; Carmelo Anthony performs before a men’s basketball quarterfinal game between the United States and Brazil during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Mary Anthony raised three children on wages earned as a member of the maintenance staff at a hospital in Baltimore. His mother cut corners and worked hard to send Carmelo Anthony to private high schools. “I got to take this serious. If I don’t, I am going back to Baltimore. So that was my approach, but I also learned discipline.”
Knowing the difficulties of growing up in such neighborhoods, Melo came back to stay connected with his roots. Sending a direct message to the next generation that they could achieve their dreams just like him!
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