Carmelo Anthony has officially announced his retirement from the NBA.
After 19 seasons in the league, the forward will call time on his career after not playing this season - spending his last year with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Drafted in the 2003 class alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Anthony will go down as one of the great scorers in NBA history. He confirmed his retirement in a video posted to his social media pages on Monday afternoon and passed on the torch to his son, Kiyan, as he chases he dream of making it to the NBA.
In the video, Anthony said: "I remember the days when I had nothing, just the ball on the court and a dream of something more.
"But basketball was my outlet. My purpose was strong, my communities, the cities I represented with pride and the fans that supported me along the way. I am forever grateful for those people and places because they made me, Carmelo Anthony.
"But now the time has come for me to say goodbye. To the court where I made my name, to the game that gave me purpose and pride. With this bittersweet goodbye to the NBA, I am excited about what the future holds from here.
"When people ask what I believe my legacy is, it’s not my feats on the court that come to mind, nor the awards or praise, because my story has always been more than basketball. My legacy, my son, it’s in you.
"I will forever continue through you, because the time has come for you to carry this torch. So Kiyan, chase your dreams, let nothing hold you back. Let nothing intervene.
"My legacy, now and forever, lives on through you. And I will always be proud of all that you do. Peace."
Anthony was drafted third overall in 2003, behind James and Darko Milicic - a monumental error in judgment by the Detroit Pistons.
Anthony spent the first eight years of his career with the Denver Nuggets, before going to spend six years with his hometown New York Knicks, then having short spells with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers and closing his career out with the Lakers.
