Melo: I’m all in for growth of global play

MANILA, Philippines — Team USA legend and NBA great Carmelo Anthony has been named as the third Global Ambassador of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 to be co-hosted by the Philippines, joining Argentina’s Luis Scola and Spain’s Pau Gasol.

Anthony, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, graced the official presentation yesterday at the iconic Smart Araneta Coliseum before serving as spectator in the Gilas Pilipinas-Lebanon match at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan – where the championship round of the World Cup proper will be held in September.

The 38-year-old cager said it’s an honor to still serve the game he loves albeit on a different capacity after years of excellence for Team USA in the international stage.

“I’m looking forward to supporting all the players at the World Cup this year and celebrating the sport on a global scale,” said Anthony.

“The game has grown on a global standpoint and it will only get bigger. I’m all in to further grow the game of basketball the way it has to be.”

Anthony is a 10-time NBA All-Star, former scoring champion, member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team and No. 9 in the all-time scoring list. He accomplished as much if not more in FIBA, which he considers as the toughest tournament to win, especially the World Cup.

The prolific scorer was a member of the FIBA All-Star Five in the 2006 World Cup (formerly known as World Championship) where Team USA placed third, and the leader in Team USA’s FIBA AmeriCup championship in 2007.