Carmelo Anthony’s enshrinement into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame was always destined to be a night filled with emotion. Over two decades in the spotlight, Anthony has been defined by his resilience, his scoring artistry, and his cultural influence beyond the hardwood. Yet when the moment finally arrived, it was not the trophies or accolades that brought him to tears, it was his father.
“To my father, here’s where the tears come. We good, we good, we good. To my father, Carmelo Iriarte. You left this world too soon, but you never left me. Your name is my name. Your spirit walks with me in every step I take.”
“You were a poet, an activist, a fighter. You taught me without even knowing that words matter, that vision matters. Even in your absence, you gave me strength. In the silence, you gave me purpose. And though I didn’t get to grow with you, I grew because of you.”
“You gave me the first example of what it means to carry fire and still speak with grace. Your blood runs in mine. Your dream lives through me. This Hall of Fame jacket that I receive, I’m not wearing it tonight, I wear it for the both of us.”
"You left this world too soon but you never left me."
– Carmelo Anthony gives a shoutout to his father 🫶
📺 Class of 2025 Enshrinement Ceremony on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/IBatQMDMc3
— NBA (@NBA) September 7, 2025
Anthony’s father, a poet, activist, and fighter, passed away when Melo was just two years old. He never had the chance to grow up alongside him, but his presence loomed large over the superstar’s life. In his heartfelt speech, Anthony described how his father’s legacy continued to guide him.
Those words reflected the deep bond Anthony has always maintained with the man he barely knew, a connection rooted not in shared experiences but in spirit and identity. Melo explained that even without his father’s physical presence, he always found strength in what his father represented.
Anthony’s tribute struck at the very heart of why his career has resonated with so many. His journey from the streets of Baltimore to college stardom at Syracuse, to Olympic glory, to the NBA Hall of Fame, has been one of perseverance and identity.
His father’s influence, as a man who valued words, ideas, and principles, shaped Anthony’s voice both on and off the court.
He also turned his attention to his mother, Mary Anthony. Known affectionately as “Mama Love,” Carmelo delivered a heartfelt tribute that resonated far beyond basketball:
“To Mama Love, to my mother, Mary Anthony, you taught me that love is action, that sacrifice is quiet, that faith is louder than fear. To every woman watching tonight, this moon is yours too.”
“You are not behind us, you’re not beside us, you’re the reason we rise. You don’t just shape homes, you shape legacies. My mother was the first one to show me what sacrifice looks like. No spotlight, no praise, just love in its purest form. You are the reason I’m standing here, Ma.”
“The sacrifices you made, the tears you held back, the strength you showed, I felt it every time I laced up my sneakers. You are my hero. And now, as a man, I see how powerful that was. That was Hall of Fame worthy too.”
His words carried the weight of a son who recognized the foundation on which his entire journey was built. For Anthony, his mother wasn’t just a parent—she was the anchor that shaped his resilience, discipline, and drive.
The moment drew applause and admiration, not just because of what he said, but because of how raw and sincere it was. Carmelo Anthony’s speech showed that his greatest victory wasn’t measured in points or medals, but in honoring the woman whose sacrifices made his Hall of Fame journey possible.
It was the most personal moment of the night, a reminder that the Hall of Fame is not only about career numbers and championships, but about the stories and sacrifices that shape the people behind the greatness.
For Anthony, it was never just about basketball; it was about honoring the man and woman whose dreams he continues to carry.
