Career Timeline of Carmelo Anthony: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Carmelo Anthony made an impact.

Carmelo Anthony is a retired American professional basketball player celebrated for his scoring prowess and decorated career. A ten-time NBA All-Star and six-time All-NBA Team selection, he led Syracuse University to a national championship in 2003, earning the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. After 19 seasons in the NBA, Anthony was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. He is set to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice in 2025, both individually and as part of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2001: AAU Tournament and Transfer to Oak Hill Academy

During the summer of 2001, Carmelo Anthony led an AAU Baltimore Select team to the Final Four of the Adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada. Later, he transferred to Oak Hill Academy for his senior year.

2001: Oak Hill Academy Campaign

In 2001, Oak Hill Academy started the 2001-02 campaign boasting a 42-game winning streak.

2002: Season at Syracuse University

During the 2002-03 season, Carmelo Anthony played one season at Syracuse University.

2002: McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic

In 2002, Carmelo Anthony played in the Jordan Brand Classic, scoring a game-high 27 points, and the 2002 McDonald's All-American Game, where he scored 19 points and won the Sprite Slam Jam dunk contest.

June 26, 2003: Drafted by Denver Nuggets

On June 26, 2003, Carmelo Anthony's NBA career began when he was chosen third overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets.

October 29, 2003: NBA Debut

On October 29, 2003, Carmelo Anthony made his NBA regular season debut in a game against the San Antonio Spurs, finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.

2003: NCAA Tournament Title and Most Outstanding Player Award

In 2003, Carmelo Anthony helped guide the Syracuse Orangemen to their first ever NCAA tournament title and earned the tournament's Most Outstanding Player Award.

2003: Shoe Deal with Jordan Brand

In 2003, Carmelo Anthony signed his first shoe deal with Jordan brand for $3.5 million per year for six years.

2003: Drafted by Denver Nuggets

In 2003, Carmelo Anthony was drafted by the Denver Nuggets, who had a 17-65 record the season before.

2003: National Championship with Syracuse Orange

In 2003, Carmelo Anthony, as a freshman playing for the Syracuse Orange, won the NCAA national championship and was named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

2003: Declared for NBA Draft

In 2003, after accomplishing his goals at Syracuse, Carmelo Anthony declared himself eligible for the NBA draft.

2003: Selected by Denver Nuggets in NBA Draft

In 2003, after one season at Syracuse, Carmelo Anthony entered the NBA draft and was selected with the third overall pick by the Denver Nuggets.

February 9, 2004: Reaches 1,000 Career Points

On February 9, 2004, Carmelo Anthony became the third-youngest player to reach the 1,000-point plateau in NBA history.

February 13, 2004: Rookie Challenge at All-Star Weekend

On February 13, 2004, Carmelo Anthony participated in the Got Milk? Rookie Challenge at All-Star Weekend.

March 30, 2004: Sets Nuggets Rookie Scoring Record

On March 30, 2004, Carmelo Anthony scored 41 points against the Seattle SuperSonics, setting a new Denver Nuggets franchise record for most points in a game by a rookie.

December 4, 2004: Reaches 2,000 Career Points

On December 4, 2004, Carmelo Anthony became the third-youngest player in NBA history to reach 2,000 career points.

2004: Donation After Tsunami

In 2004, Carmelo Anthony donated $35,000 to relief efforts after the tsunami caused by the Indian Ocean earthquake.

2004: Release of First Signature Shoe

In 2004, Carmelo Anthony's first signature shoe, the Jordan Carmelo 1.5, was released.

Nike Jordan Carmelo 1.5 Low

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2004: Playoff Appearance and Loss to Timberwolves

In the 2004 NBA Playoffs, the Nuggets faced the top-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the First Round, where they were eventually eliminated in five games.

2004: Playoff Appearance with Denver Nuggets

Starting in 2004, Carmelo Anthony led the Denver Nuggets to the playoffs every year until 2010.

November 23, 2005: Anthony hauls down 1,000th career rebound

On November 23, 2005, while playing against the Detroit Pistons, Carmelo Anthony secured his 1,000th career rebound.

2005: MVP of Rookie Challenge

In 2005, Carmelo Anthony became the MVP of the Got Milk? Rookie Challenge, scoring 31 points.

2005: Charitable Donations

In 2005, Carmelo Anthony donated $1,000 per point scored against San Antonio and Houston. He also committed $3 million to Syracuse University for a basketball practice facility.

2005: Clutch Performer in the NBA

In 2005, Carmelo Anthony established himself as one of the premier clutch performers in the NBA, making five game-winning shots in the last five seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime during the 2005-06 season.

January 8, 2006: Anthony makes game-winning shot at Houston

On January 8, 2006, Carmelo Anthony made a game-winning jump shot in the last five seconds against Houston.

January 18, 2006: Anthony gives Nuggets lead vs Cavaliers in final 22 seconds.

On January 18, 2006, Carmelo Anthony made a shot in the final 22 seconds against the Cleveland Cavaliers, giving the Nuggets a lead that they maintained to win.

March 17, 2006: Anthony surpasses 5,000 career points

On March 17, 2006, Carmelo Anthony scored 33 points against the Memphis Grizzlies, surpassing 5,000 career points and becoming the second-youngest player to achieve this milestone.

December 14, 2006: Opening of Youth Development Center

On December 14, 2006, Carmelo Anthony opened "The Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center" in Baltimore.

2006: Listed in "The Giving Back 30 List"

In 2006, Carmelo Anthony was listed as number eight in "The Giving Back 30 List of Largest Charitable Donations by Celebrities", with charitable contributions totaling $4,282,000.

January 24, 2008: Anthony named to NBA All-Star Game as starter

On January 24, 2008, Carmelo Anthony was named a starter for the NBA All-Star Game, leading Western Conference forwards in votes.

December 10, 2008: Anthony ties NBA record for points in one quarter

On December 10, 2008, Carmelo Anthony tied George Gervin's record for most points scored in one quarter in NBA history, scoring 33 points in the third quarter against the Timberwolves.

2008: Member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team

Carmelo Anthony was a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

2008: Gold Medal at the Olympics

In 2008, Carmelo Anthony won a gold medal with the US national team at the Olympics.

2008: Nuggets make playoffs as eighth seed

In 2008, the Denver Nuggets finished as the eighth seed in the Western Conference with 50 wins, which was the highest win total for an eighth seed in NBA history at the time.

January 30, 2009: Anthony returns to Nuggets lineup after injury

On January 30, 2009, Carmelo Anthony returned to the Nuggets' starting lineup after recovering from a hand injury, scoring 19 points in a game against the Charlotte Bobcats.

April 29, 2009: Anthony wins first playoff series

On April 29, 2009, Carmelo Anthony won his first playoff series as the Nuggets beat the New Orleans Hornets 107-86, where Anthony finished with a playoff career-high 34 points and four steals.

2009: Led Nuggets to Conference Finals

In 2009, Carmelo Anthony led the Denver Nuggets to their first conference finals appearance since 1985.

January 21, 2010: Anthony named All-Star starter

On January 21, 2010, Carmelo Anthony was named as a starter for the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, leading the Western Conference ballots in votes for forwards, marking his third All-Star appearance and second as a starter.

March 26, 2010: Anthony makes game-winning shot against Raptors

On March 26, 2010, Carmelo Anthony made a game-winning shot at the buzzer, after missing his first attempt, against the Toronto Raptors.

November 15, 2010: Anthony records first 20-20 game

On November 15, 2010, Carmelo Anthony achieved his first 20-20 game, scoring 20 points and grabbing a career-high 22 rebounds against the Phoenix Suns.

November 26, 2010: Anthony hits game-winning jumper against Bulls

On November 26, 2010, Carmelo Anthony made a game-winning jumper at the buzzer against the Chicago Bulls.

2010: Playoff Appearance with Denver Nuggets

From 2004 to 2010, Carmelo Anthony led the Denver Nuggets to the playoffs every year.

February 22, 2011: Anthony traded to New York Knicks

On February 22, 2011, Carmelo Anthony was traded to the New York Knicks along with Chauncey Billups, also involving the Minnesota Timberwolves. He signed a three-year, $65 million extension and chose to wear number 7.

2011: Traded to the New York Knicks

In 2011, Carmelo Anthony was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks just before the NBA trade deadline.

2012: Gold Medal at the Olympics

In 2012, Carmelo Anthony won a gold medal with the US national team at the Olympics.

April 15, 2013: Won Eastern Conference Player of the Week, NBA Scoring Champion

On April 15, 2013, Carmelo Anthony won his second straight Eastern Conference Player of the Week award and became the 2013 NBA scoring champion with 28.7 points per game.

January 24, 2014: Career-High 62 Points Against Bobcats

On January 24, 2014, Carmelo Anthony scored a career-high 62 points in a game against the Charlotte Bobcats, setting a Knicks' single-game scoring record and a Madison Square Garden single-game scoring record.

June 23, 2014: Opted Out of Contract

On June 23, 2014, Carmelo Anthony informed the Knicks that he would opt out of his contract and become a free agent.

July 13, 2014: Re-signed with the Knicks

On July 13, 2014, Carmelo Anthony re-signed with the Knicks to a five-year, $124 million contract.

April 2016: US Olympic Team All-Time Leader

As of April 2016, Carmelo Anthony was the US Olympic team's all-time leader in points, rebounds, and games played.

September 25, 2017: Traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder

On September 25, 2017, Carmelo Anthony was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and a 2018 second-round pick.

2017: Demanded a trade from Knicks due to conflicts with Phil Jackson

In 2017, after facing multiple conflicts with team president Phil Jackson, Carmelo Anthony demanded a trade from the New York Knicks. Initially, he was only willing to waive his no-trade clause for the Houston Rockets, but later expanded his list to include the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

July 25, 2018: Traded to the Atlanta Hawks

On July 25, 2018, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Carmelo Anthony to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team trade, acquiring Dennis Schröder from the Hawks and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot from the Philadelphia 76ers. The trade aimed to reduce luxury tax payments.

August 13, 2018: Signed with the Houston Rockets

On August 13, 2018, Carmelo Anthony signed a one-year, $2.4 million veterans minimum contract with the Houston Rockets, coached by his former Knicks coach, Mike D'Antoni.

November 8, 2018: Last NBA game before signing with Trail Blazers

November 8, 2018 marks Carmelo Anthony's last NBA game before signing with the Portland Trail Blazers on November 19, 2019.

2018: Thirteen Shoes Released in Melo Line

As of 2018, thirteen shoes have been released in the Carmelo Anthony "Melo" line.

2018: Second-round pick traded to Knicks

In 2018, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded a second-round pick to the New York Knicks as part of the Carmelo Anthony trade completed September 25, 2017.

January 22, 2019: Traded to the Chicago Bulls

On January 22, 2019, the Houston Rockets traded Carmelo Anthony, the draft rights to Jon Diebler, and undisclosed cash considerations to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the draft rights to Tadija Dragićević. This move helped the Rockets reduce luxury-tax penalties.

November 19, 2019: Signed by the Portland Trail Blazers and made debut

On November 19, 2019, Carmelo Anthony signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with the Portland Trail Blazers and debuted in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 10 points with 4 rebounds and 1 block in 24 minutes.