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Carmelo Anthony, the dean of USA basketball, is a champion once again. America’s all-time leader in games, points and now rebounds announced his retirement from international basketball in an emotional interview with Ros Gold-Onwude following the USA’s 96-66 triumph over Serbia in the gold medal game.
If you haven’t seen the video yet, get some tissues handy:
"This is it for me." @carmeloanthony gets emotional after winning gold, calling it a career. https://t.co/3nZ10QtWAW https://t.co/zFxQjzRjgz
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 21, 2016
Captain America finished his Olympic career with 7 points on 3-7 shooting, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. After the final whistle had blown, he followed in the footsteps of the original stretch 4, Abraham Lincoln, and used his words in an attempt to bind the nation’s wounds.
Melo really the GOAT pic.twitter.com/VUl6WTiZJl
— Herbo (@HerbMcDerb) August 21, 2016
Oh, and he took time out of his pre-game routine to deliver a message to Craig Sager, who couldn’t make the trip to Rio as he undergoes treatment for Leukemia:
Carmelo Anthony sends a message to Craig Sager. #USA pic.twitter.com/BKy8FgtM6R
— Matthew Schwerha (@MSchwerha) August 21, 2016
You, sir, are a credit to your country and your sport. I’m glad that you play for my favorite team