Just when Carmelo Anthony hoped he might be able to kick off a potential NBA farewell tour with representing his country in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, his dreams were dashed.
USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo told Sports Illustrated that Anthony requested an opportunity through a representative, but Anthony was told the team is moving on without him.
“I love Carmelo,” Colangelo told SI. “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 re-establish himself. I think that has to be done in the [NBA].”
Anthony has a storied history with Team USA. His international debut was in the 2004 Olympics, where he led the team to a bronze medal. He then helped the team earn three gold medals, in 2008, ‘12 and ‘16. Anthony earned USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year honors twice as an individual, and another as part of the 2008 Redeem Team, which won the honor after capturing gold, four years after its run of three straight golds was snapped.
The 35-year-old Anthony is failing to latch onto another team as a free agent. He was traded after playing a mere 10 games with the Houston Rockets last season before he was benched. The Rockets traded Anthony to the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 22, and the Bulls ultimately waived him on Feb. 1.
Anthony recently went on “First Take” and expressed displeasure about his Rockets tenure, saying, “I didn’t like how that went down.”
Source: Read Full Article