Meet Carmelo Anthony’s Parents: A Mom’s Strength and a Father’s Legacy

The Breakdown: Carmelo Anthony is arguably one of the greatest NBA players of all time. But behind his athletic prowess is a family man who has a deep appreciation for his parents and family.

Since the start of his career, Carmelo Anthony has been a family man – often gushing about his parents, children, and personal achievements. Melo has been a baller his entire life, even before he hit the league. He honed his talents at Syracuse University, where he balled out and led the Orange to their first NCAA championship in 2003, all while snagging the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award.

Melo entered the league as the third overall pick in the iconic 2003 NBA Draft. As a rookie with the Denver Nuggets, he averaged 21 points per game and instantly became the face of the franchise. Over eight seasons, he led the Nuggets to consistent playoff runs and pushed them all the way to the Western Conference Finals in 2009.

As Melo’s career was growing, his family – particularly his parents – held him down. Let’s take a look at the basketball star’s life off the court.

Carmelo grew up as the youngest of four children born to Mary Anthony and Carmelo Iriarte. His father, Iriarte, carried Puerto Rican roots mixed with African, Spanish, and Indigenous ancestry. As an activist with the Young Lords — a Puerto Rican civil rights group — Iriarte fought for justice until cancer took his life when Carmelo was just two years old.

According to Amo Mama, Mary juggled multiple jobs, including housekeeping, to provide for Melo and his siblings. Her grind and unwavering support became the backbone of the family. At eight, the family moved to Baltimore's west side. They settled in a tough neighborhood known as The Pharmacy due to its rampant drug trade. Despite the environment, Mary kept a tight grip on her kids.

Melo went on to play ball at Towson Catholic High School in Baltimore. During his junior year, he averaged 23 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, earning him the title of Baltimore's County Player of the Year and All-Metropolitan Player of the Year, per NCAA. To gain more national exposure and improve his academic standing, Anthony transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia for his senior year.

After the death of their father, Carmelo's siblings played a huge role in his upbringing. His mother, Mary, worked to support the family, leaving Melo in the care of his siblings. The NBA legend is the youngest of four siblings. He has two older brothers, Robert and Wilford, an older sister, Michelle, and a half-sister, Daphne.

Tragically, his sister Michelle died in December 2010 at age 38. Melo opened up about the loss when he returned to the Nuggets, reflecting on their bond. “We’ve been through thick and thin. Everybody who’s had a sister knows the type of relationship a brother and sister have,” he said (per ESPN). Adding, "I'm going to miss her calling me after every game, telling me what I did wrong, telling me what I did good and giving me some encouragement. But I know she's watching.”