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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — As Carmelo Anthony approached the steps outside Symphony Hall, the surrounding crowd bellowed with excitement.

“MELOOOOO.”

“Let’s go Orange!”

“STAY MELO!”

Donning a black suit, black tie, white collar and sunglasses, Anthony first made his way over to the NBATV broadcast table. While he was on-air, fans tried their best to get a peek at one of basketball’s all-time greats.

Once he finished up, Anthony prepared to walk up the steps, but first, he snagged some photos with those in his inner circle. That included his son, Kiyan, who is a freshman on Syracuse’s men’s basketball team. As Anthony — arguably the most decorated athlete in SU history — walked into Symphony Hall with a spotlight of cameras trying to capture his every move, Kiyan was right behind, following in his father’s footsteps.

On Saturday in Springfield, Massachusetts, Anthony will make his way to the stage for his Hall of Fame speech. The 2003 NCAA champion is a part of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2025 induction class, another milestone in Anthony’s illustrious legacy.

The Daily Orange compiled live updates before and after Melo’s speech at the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony:

Reacting to Melo’s HoF induction

9:34 p.m. – Cooper Andrews and Justin Girshon, Senior Staff Writers

Cooper – The 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame class is loaded to the brim, featuring names like Sue Bird, Dwight Howard and Maya Moore. But not a single soul carried as much gravitas as Anthony did Saturday in Symphony Hall.

The place went berserk as soon as the emcee uttered the name “Carmelo Anthony” while introducing him to the stage. Everyone gave Melo their uninterrupted attention. And I thought he killed it — Anthony provided an inspiring message to those who look up to him and aptly addressed the fanbases and cities that shaped his career, particularly Syracuse, Denver and New York City.

Justin – I must say, I think Kiyan was right about Melo potentially having one of the best Hall of Fame speeches ever. Unfortunately, I’d never been to a Hall of Fame induction ceremony before tonight — so in other words, I’m nowhere near an expert — but I was really impressed with what Anthony said and in his delivery.

He hit on every key aspect of his life and definitely hit on the emotions that’ve come across every step of his life. Like he did on the court, Anthony was creative in the way he put his shots up in his speech — with his main goal trying to inspire everyone listening. Like he did several times throughout his career with delivering a game-winning shot, Anthony executed brilliantly in the closing chapter that will forever make him one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

The best quotes from Anthony’s speech

9:23 p.m. – Cooper Andrews and Justin Girshon, Senior Staff Writers

Anthony delivered plenty of memorable moments in his induction speech Saturday. We picked out some of the best:

“You believed in me when I didn’t know how to believe in myself,” Anthony said of his mother, Mary Anthony. Mary was in tears during Anthony’s speech, where he called her his ultimate “protector.”

“I wasn’t just playing basketball; I was honoring heritage,” Anthony said of his roots growing up impoverished in Baltimore, which he believes shaped him into the man he is today.

“I’ve been cheered, criticized. They called me spoiled, they said I was too loyal and then they said I wasn’t loyal enough. But they didn’t know what it feels like to carry the weight of a whole city,” Anthony said of how his 19-year NBA career played out.

“To Syracuse … one year, one championship, one spark that changed everything,” Anthony said of his one-and-done season at SU from 2002-03.

“And so I say again to every child listening, they will tell you to be realistic. I say be relentless. They will say you dream too big, I say (dream) too loud. They will try to label you, box you in, count you out. But remember, statistics don’t measure heart. They only count for fight. They don’t see the storm that was built. You were made for more,” Anthony said in his message to his kids, and every child around the world.

“Stay Melo, peace,” Anthony’s end to his speech.

Carmelo Anthony speaks during the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Anthony led Syracuse to a national title in 2003 before playing 19 years in the NBA. Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor

Melo gives his speech

9:03 p.m. – Justin Girshon, Senior Staff Writer

Carmelo’s off to a great start thus far with his speech, even taking a moment to catch his thoughts and hold back tears.

Carmelo is now taking time to honor his roots — his family, Puerto Rico and close ones.

Carmelo is now talking to his mother, Mary, who is emotional.

“My mother was the first one to show me what sacrifice looks like… you’re the reason I’m standing here mom.”

Big hand here from the crowd as Melo talks about Syracuse.

Melo is now talking to his kids, Kiyan and Genesis.

Carmelo’s time

8:52 p.m. – Cooper Andrews, Senior Staff Writer

At 8:45 p.m., the long-awaited video began to play throughout Symphony Hall. Anthony’s Hall of Fame video tribute featured tons of highlights from his one-and-done national title-winning season at Syracuse as well as his best professional moments with the Knicks and Nuggets.

Mike Breen’s signature “bang” calls echoed throughout the auditorium as Anthony’s tribute video showcased his marvelous 3-point range over his long career. It displayed the purity and electricity that Anthony brought to the game of basketball, a proper tribute ahead of his speech.

“Melo was one of the clutchest players in our game,” Dwyane Wade said in the video tribute.

Anthony’s on deck

8:30 p.m. – Cooper Andrews, Senior Staff Writer

Just before 8:30 p.m., coach Billy Donovan was given a video tribute recapping his Hall of Fame career — which means Anthony is up next. Only Anthony and WNBA legend Sue Bird are remaining to speak at this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony. Anthony is scheduled to speak second-to-last before Bird’s speech to close the night’s events.

Anthony has many family members and friends in Springfield to support his induction, including his son Kiyan, who’s about to begin his first year on Syracuse’s men’s basketball team.

Kiyan gives insight into Melo’s speech

8:30 p.m. – Justin Girshon, Senior Staff Writer

Before walking up the Symphony Hall steps behind his father, Kiyan stopped by to do an interview with Syracuse Athletics’ Sean Dorcellus. In the interview, Kiyan revealed that it took Melo almost a year to write his speech. He then made a bold declaration:

“I think his speech is going to go down as one of the best ever,” Kiyan said.

Anthony’s on deck, so we’ll see if Kiyan is right shortly.

Kiyan with the inside scoop on Melo’s Hall of Fame induction prep pic.twitter.com/UFEudSncZD

— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) September 7, 2025

Melo’s unofficial Hall of Fame induction

8:12 p.m. – Cooper Andrews, Senior Staff Writer

Anthony is getting into the Hall of Fame not once, but twice this year. Anthony was part of the 2008 Olympic Redeem Team, Team USA’s resurgent squad that put the country back on top of the basketball world after a brutal bronze finish in 2004. The Redeem Team was honored as an honorary member of the 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame class.

Anthony walked onto the stage in Symphony Hall at approximately 8:10 p.m., leading a group of his former Redeem Team teammates, including LeBron James, Bosh, Howard, Jason Kidd and Carlos Boozer, among others. Coach Mike Krzyzewski also joined them on the stage. Anthony’s impact on the Redeem Team was palpable, Bosh said Friday. According to Bosh, Anthony “couldn’t miss” any time he put on a Team USA jersey. He averaged double figures for the U.S. that summer, adding to the Redeem Team’s impenetrable depth.

Carmelo Anthony leading the way out for the Redeem Team: pic.twitter.com/XHijJCJtCd

— Justin Girshon (@JustinGirshon) September 7, 2025

Syracuse in the house

7:55 p.m. – Justin Girshon, Senior Staff Writer

Over the loudspeakers in Symphony Hall, there was a quick “Syracuse University” shout-out. The crowd reacted with, “WOOOO,” with a large contingent in the building awaiting Anthony’s speech. Anthony’s speech is scheduled second-to-last among the nine speeches. So far, Sylvia Fowles, Dwight Howard, Micky Arison and Danny Crawford have all spoken; Maya Moore’s introduction is now beginning.

Red carpet report

7:41 p.m. — Justin Girshon, Senior Staff Writer

As one can imagine, there are a litany of basketball legends on hand to celebrate the Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2025 class. Though he wasn’t spotted by The Daily Orange walking into Symphony Hall, LeBron James — who was selected in Anthony’s draft class and played alongside him with Team USA — was highlighted during Dwight Howard’s speech.

Outside, walking the same steps before Anthony, former SU head coach Jim Boeheim was on hand. He was followed by former Duke and Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski and fellow 2003 NBA Draftee Dwayne Wade. The list is endless, but the figures spotted also included — but were not limited to — Pat Riley, Rick Pitino, Isiah Thomas, Chris Paul and Patrick Ewing.

LeBron James, Jim Boeheim and Mike Krzyzewski, among others, sit in the crowd of the Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony. All three people played a pivotal role in Carmelo Anthony’s career. Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor

What other inductees are saying about Melo

7:40 p.m. — Cooper Andrews, Senior Staff Writer

Billy Donovan said it best: everybody loves Melo. Anthony’s fellow 2025 Hall of Fame inductees — such as Donovan — and other legends of the game spoke about his legacy prior to his induction speech Saturday night.

Two of Anthony’s former teammates on the 2008 Olympic Redeem Team, Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh, both shared fond memories of Anthony. Bosh said Anthony’s post presence was unlike any opponent he faced, while Howard said he used to emulate Anthony while watching him play for Syracuse in 2003. Howard also commented on how recognizable Anthony is, invoking his endless rolodex of nicknames like “Hoodie Melo” and “Headband Melo.”

Before Saturday’s ceremony, during the pre-event red carpet walk, New York Knicks Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing commented on Anthony’s career. “Who?” he initially joked when asked about Anthony. But Ewing went on to credit his fellow Knicks legend, saying Anthony is one of the “great” ones.

Published on September 6, 2025 at 7:38 pm