Carmelo Anthony wraps up stellar career with surprise announcement

Los Angeles, California - Former Los Angeles Lakers veteran forward Carmelo Anthony is taking his final bow!

After nine stellar NBA seasons, Carmelo Anthony announced his retirement from the NBA in a touching video he shared on Twitter on Monday morning.
After nine stellar NBA seasons, Carmelo Anthony announced his retirement from the NBA in a touching video he shared on Twitter on Monday morning.  © Christian Petersen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The legendary hooper whose flashy NBA career spanned two decades, shocked the basketball world on Monday morning when he announced his retirement from the NBA in a video on Twitter.

In a post captioned "Thank you #STAYME7O," Anthony thanked the teams he represented and the fans who supported him along the way.

The ex-Laker also said his lengthy career will continue through his son, who one day hopes to follow in his father's footsteps to the big league.

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"My legacy, my son, is in you," Anthony said in his heartfelt clip. "I will forever continue through you because the time has come for you to carry this torch."

Following a record-breaking career for Syracuse Orange basketball, Anthony became the No. 3 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.

While the 38-year-old never won a championship, he garnered three-straight Olympic gold medals and became a 10-time All-Star and a six-time All-NBA player.

One of the best shooters from the field, the 2013 NBA scoring champion will go down as one of the foremost players of his era.

Cover photo: Collage: SAUL LOEB / AFP / Christian Petersen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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