Politics and basketball are a combination not seen often. Yet, Carmelo Anthony has made it one. Not only once but multiple times during his career days. However, there’s one instance that tops the list. And, that’s when Carmelo Anthony met USA’s former president Barack Obama for the first time.

Though, it wasn’t a scheduled meeting. Now the question is – how did it happen then? In a recent episode, Carmelo Anthony sat with the team of 7PM in Brooklyn to share his insights about meeting President Obama. The glimpse of the interview was then uploaded on the official podcast channel with the title “Meeting Muhammad Ali, Lunch with Jay-Z, Melo Hooping Against Obama & More ft. G-Eazy”

As the podcast was aired, it not only offered a nostalgic feeling to those part of the incident but also garnered the attention of many on the internet. In the same interview, Anthony recalled his meetup with Obama in 2012 when he was part of a campaign “Obama Classic”, wherein Michael Jordan, Carmelo Anthony, Sheryl Swoopes, Alonzo Mourning, and Kyrie Irving, among others, were set to star.

Even though Anthony was part of the campaign, he wasn’t sure whether he would get to see Obama. Then, how did the meetup happen? Surprisingly, Anthony met Obama for the first time with the help of a fan.

Meeting Obama a la Carmelo Anthony’s lens

While sharing insights, Anthony recounted a famous incident that occurred when he was about to meet Obama. He recalled having his whole floor to himself when he was suddenly interrupted by a fan. “He comes walking in the door…and at that moment, I’m like damn, like I could have been selfish. I’m sleeping, you know, shout out to the fan for waking me up and like, what I said to take this picture,“ he said. At first glance, it seems like Anthony was annoyed with the fan, but that’s not the case.

Unknowingly, the picture he took with the fan stands out as the only thing that “puts me right back into that moment right there.” Laughing, he further pointed out how while waiting for Obama, he was in a hungover state. He added, “the first meeting with Obama was a different moment, man, and I felt so bad, and I was just outside coming from the car…there’s certain things like you just do like like it’s just like that yeah it’s funny” signifying the importance of his first meeting with the former US President Barack Obama.

However, it wasn’t the first and the last time when Anthony met Obama. Now, the question is: Will he be sharing more such stories with spectators? Stay tuned to know more!