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NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: Big East Conference Tournament First Round – Villanova vs Georgetown Mar 8, 2023 New York, NY, USA New York Knicks former player Carmelo Anthony sits courtside during the second half between the Villanova Wildcats and the Georgetown Hoyas at Madison Square Garden. New York Madison Square Garden NY USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xBradxPennerx 20230308_bjp_ae5_087
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NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: Big East Conference Tournament First Round – Villanova vs Georgetown Mar 8, 2023 New York, NY, USA New York Knicks former player Carmelo Anthony sits courtside during the second half between the Villanova Wildcats and the Georgetown Hoyas at Madison Square Garden. New York Madison Square Garden NY USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xBradxPennerx 20230308_bjp_ae5_087
Have you ever been starstruck? Meeting the boxing legend Muhammad Ali for the first time can be quite an experience. The Greatest influenced an entire generation, inspiring many athletes, including NBA veteran Carmelo Anthony. He is a big fan of the boxing star. Much more than you might think, the basketball legend was just like any other fan when meeting his idol for the first time. He even had a large mural of The Greatest in his home in Winchester, New York.
Speaking of his first encounter with the sports star, Melo recalled that one particular statement from the boxing champion left him speechless. And why wouldn’t it? How would you react if your favorite NBA star, Melo, told you that he knows you?
“He’s shaking everybody’s hand so in my mind I’m just like yeah I got like what the f**k I’m you know what I mean man nice to meet you man I wanna f**k off…He get to me and he shook my hands said how you doing how you doing Mr Ali, Carmelo Anthony and he grabbed me close and was like I know who you are; my s**t left, my s**t left! I’m like oh s**t damn oh you know me yeah so this was the first time that like I ever you know I met him, interacted with him,” Anthony said in the latest episode of his podcast, 7 PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony & The Kid Mero.
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It’s not every day you get to hear something like that. The entire episode details Melo’s experience meeting Muhammad Ali for the first time. So, there are more intriguing stories on the line. Hop on.
Carmelo Anthony recalls Muhammad Ali’s entry and his magnificent aura
During the conversation, Melo shared that it was right after his 2003 NCAA Championship with the Syracuse Orange, during which he was also named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. This may be why the boxing icon recognized him. It was during a big event and many sports stars were present there.
Speaking of The Greatest’s entry into the room, Melo shared that there was a special aura surrounding him. Furthermore, upon meeting him, Melo shared that the boxing icon liked and performed some magic tricks too.
Furthermore, Melo shared that he was hesitant to perform a friendly gesture in front of the boxing champion. Ali asked Anthony to throw his hands up and pretend to fight. However, the New York Knicks veteran hesitated out of respect for the boxing legend. “I can’t lift my hands up to you champ I can’t do that,” Melo recalled. While he eventually agreed, the late legend even complimented Anthony on his long jab and reach. Talk about the most perfect idol meet!
