Carmelo Kiyan Anthony (born May 29, 1984 in the Red
Hook Projects of Brooklyn, New York) is an American
professional basketball player at the small forward
position for the Denver Nuggets of the National
Basketball Association and the USA National Team.
His father, after whom Anthony is named, died of
cancer when Anthony was two years old. When Anthony
turned eight, his family moved to Baltimore, where
he honed not only his athletic skills, but his
survival skills. Kenny Minor, one of Anthony's
childhood friends, said, "from drugs to killings to
anything you can name that goes on in the roughest
parts of town, we've seen and witnessed hands on.
Those are the things that teach you toughness and
keep you mentally focused on your goals." Sports
would serve as an important diversion from the
violence and drug dealing that were pervasive in the
housing projects a few blocks from the homes of
Anthony and his friends.
Since entering the NBA, Anthony has been the subject
of numerous controversies. In 2004, Anthony was
cited for marijuana possession, after inspectors at
Denver International Airport found marijuana in his
backpack. Charges were later dropped after Anthony’s
friend, James Cunningham, of St. Louis, signed an
affidavit taking responsibility for the marijuana.
In 2006, Anthony’s friend, Tyler Brandon Smith, was
pulled over in Anthony’s 2005 Dodge Magnum and cited
for marijuana possession and three traffic
violations.
In 2004, Anthony appeared in a video entitled, Stop
Snitchin', which warned that residents of Baltimore
who collaborated with the police would face
violence. Anthony later distanced himself from this
video.
In 2006, Anthony was involved in the infamous
Knicks-Nuggets brawl during a game at Madison Square
Garden.
Anthony has two brothers (Robert and Wilford), a
sister (Michelle) and a half-sister (Daphne). His
mother, Mary, is African American, and his father
was Puerto Rican.
Anthony got engaged to MTV VJ LaLa Vasquez on
Christmas Day, 2004. They have a son, Kiyan Carmelo
Anthony, born on March 7, 2007.
