Former New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony to join the team for informal scrimmages at Columbia University.
On Thursday, the New York Knicks held informal 5-on-5 scrimmages at Columbia University on Thursday. One specific former player who was in attendance was none other than the Syracuse University product, Carmelo Anthony.
Yes, the man who played for the Knicks from 2011-17 scrimmaged with the team, per Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated.
In addition to Hasheem Thabeet, Carmelo Anthony is expected to join the New York Knicks’ informal 5-on-5 scrimmages at Columbia University this morning, according to league sources.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) August 29, 2019
The Knicks traded Anthony prior to the 2017-18 season to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He spent a year playing there with Russell Westbrook and Paul George. Anthony, 35, last played for the Houston Rockets this past season, where he appeared in 10 games and started in two.
Anthony is a 10-time All-Star and a one-time scoring champion, which he won in 2013 while still in New York.
Former NBA player Hasheem Thabeet also attended the Knicks scrimmages. The Memphis Grizzlies originally selected Thabeet No. 2 overall in the 2009 draft out of the University of Connecticut. He was a member of the Grizzlies from 2009-11 and additionally spent time with the Houston Rockets, the Portland Trailblazers, and the Thunder.
Thabeet’s been in and out of the NBA since he was drafted and last played for the Yokohama B-Corsairs in Japan.
The Knicks will go into this season with numerous players on short-term deals. This offseason they signed Elfrid Payton, Taj Gibson, Julius Randle, Wayne Ellington, Bobby Portis, and Reggie Bullock. They additionally drafted RJ Barrett with the No. 3 overall pick along with Ignas Brazdeikis in the second round.
Melo could ultimately be a mentor for these younger players if he were to be reunited with the Knicks.
