Most fans consider Carmelo Anthony the best USA men’s basketball Olympian of all time. At the time of his retirement, Melo held the National Olympic records in points, rebounds, and games played, among others. He was also the first men’s player to win 3 Gold medals. While his first appearance at the quadrennial event was a disappointment in 2004, his last in Rio proved to be memorable. But there’s another, more hilarious, moment that Melo himself can’t seem to shake off. It wasn’t on the court but off it, and it’s a memory that still haunts him today.

Melo joined Rachel Nichols to reminisce about that triumphant 2016 Olympic run on the Open Run podcast’s Paris episode. While the gold medal was a highlight, Nichols pointed out a different memory that stood out for her. “The 2016 Olympics produced one of my favorite basketball memes of all time, which is you rolling your eyes at the younger guys singing Vanessa Carlton,” she said on the podcast, chuckling at the memory. Nichols couldn’t resist adding that it was an “old man Melo” moment, to which Anthony, smirking, admitted, “I was old—I was older.”

The conversation quickly turned more hilarious when Nichols asked, “How many years after that did people walk up to you singing that song?” Melo, smiling responded, “Still to this day young kids will come up and start singing a song to see my reaction.” The song in question? ‘A Thousand Miles’ by Vanessa Carlton—a tune that has become strangely entwined with Melo’s Olympic legacy.

Melo went on to share more about that moment, painting a vivid picture of the early morning flight when the incident occurred. It was around 6:30 or 7:00 AM, and Anthony was ready to catch some sleep. But the younger players had other plans. “I’m ready to go to sleep… It’s a 10-hour flight to Rio, and it’s like, ‘Yo, come on, what are y’all guys doing?’” At that moment, he couldn’t help but feel “a little older than these guys.” But there was nothing against Carlton, as Melo himself proved.

Carmelo Anthony admits a soft spot for ‘A Thousand Miles’

Back in 2016, during an interview with ESPN, Carmelo Anthony revealed that his famous eye-roll at the 2016 Olympics had a simple explanation—he’s just not a morning person. Reflecting on that viral moment, Melo said, “They know I don’t like early mornings, man, so that was Jimmy’s (Butler) playlist.” His frustration wasn’t about the song itself, but rather the timing of it all.

In fact, Anthony even joked about taking drastic measures to ensure his peace and quiet on future flights. “I’m taking the playlist back from him. I’m taking the speakers back from him. No more music,” he humorously declared.

However, Anthony then revealed something surprising: “I actually like that song, though.” He continued, “I like the movie White Chicks, but they got me early in the morning.” So, for the record, Melo has no issue with ‘A Thousand Miles’—just don’t play it at the crack of dawn if you want to stay on his good side.

“Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.”