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How Muhammad Ali inspired Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony

By Stevie Cozens

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 27: Former New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony attends the game between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on January 27, 2019 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 27: Former New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony attends the game between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on January 27, 2019 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony has been active on Youtube recently, this week he discussed how he was inspired by advice given to him by Muhammad Ali

Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony has utilised his time well in quarantine during COVID-19. He has appeared on numerous shows and Instagram lives talking about his career on and off the court.

This week on the YouTube series ‘ What’s in your Glass?’,  that he hosted personally, comedian and actor Anthony Anderson was a guest.

Celebrities and sports-people usually appear in tandem on the show, drinking and discussing wine and talking about their careers.

Anderson asked a Melo a great question: Who were you first star-struck by?

His answer, meeting Michael Jordan in High School at a camp he ran. President Barack Obama was next, and then Muhammad Ali.

Ali was the cover athlete of EA Sports Fight Night which had recently launched in 2003. Melo was amongst the other cover athletes for their respective sports games who were attending. Melo described how the energy changed when Ali entered the room, and all the athletes lined up so he could shake their hands.

Melo described how nervous he was, and that he was certain Ali wouldn’t know who he is. Ali did the usual pretend punching routine, and Melo leaned away as he was worried about Ali hitting him.

Ali then leaned in and gave Melo some priceless advice. Ali said to him ‘ Keep doing what you doing, I know who you are, I love what you’re doing, don’t ever stop, keep striving for greatness.

Melo said this was the most powerful advice he had ever received in his playing career.

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This advice clearly had a profound impact on a young Carmelo Anthony.

Him and Anderson discussed their personal experiences in depth when meeting inspirational figures like Obama and Ali.

You can find the episode in full here on YouTube.

As a site we’ve really enjoyed seeing what our players are up to in quarantine, keep an eye on the page for more updates.