Carmelo anthony biography puerto rican soccer team

The proud and storied Puerto Rico national basketball team has no practice court and little funding in the wake of Hurricane Maria's devastation, but it remains undaunted and determined to recruit a prodigal son to wear the island nation's uniform.

If Carmelo Anthony wants a new team, Puerto Rico has a No. 15 jersey awaiting him.

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Anthony and the Houston Rockets are parting ways, leaving the 10-time All-Star searching for a landing spot in the NBA once the franchise waives him.

For Puerto Rico, an association with Anthony, 34, and its national team could go a long way for the beleaguered island. Officials want Anthony to know: There's an open invitation.

"With his connection to Puerto Rico, his NBA stardom and his experiences, our fans would love it," said Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea, who has been a cornerstone of the national team and a tireless advocate in Puerto Rico's relief efforts. "We tried a bunch to get him in the past, but of course nobody blamed him for playing for Team USA. But if he ever wants a chance to represent us, it would be awesome to have him."

Anthony has had one of the most decorated international basketball careers in history, winning three Olympic gold medals and bronze with Team USA before announcing his retirement in 2016. Born in Brooklyn to a father of Puerto Rican descent, Anthony has spent considerable time in the U.S. territory and has been a part of charitable pursuits there.

Anthony would need USA Basketball to grant him a waiver to play for Puerto Rico, which would be easily attainable. Anthony stands as Team USA's all-time Olympic scoring leader with 336 points. There's no indication that Anthony ever plans to play for Puerto Rico, but federation president Yum Ramos is determined to extend him an invitation.

"I'm a big fan of Carmelo not only as a basketball player, but more importantly as one o

American basketball player (born 1984)

Carmelo Kyam Anthony (kar-MEL-oh; born May 29, 1984) is an American former professional basketball player. Anthony played 19 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as well as being an ten-time NBA All-Star and six-time All-NBA Team member. He played college basketball for the Syracuse Orange, winning a national championship as a freshman in 2003 while being named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. In 2021, he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, and is regarded as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.

After one season at Syracuse, Anthony entered the 2003 NBA draft and was selected with the third overall pick by the Denver Nuggets. While playing for Denver, he led the Nuggets to the playoffs every year from 2004 to 2010; the team won two division titles in that span. In 2009, Anthony led the Nuggets to their first conference finals appearance since 1985. In 2011, he was traded from Denver to the New York Knicks days before the NBA trade deadline. In a January 24, 2014 game against the Charlotte Bobcats, Anthony scored a career-hig

For the football club known as Puerto Rico FC from 2003 to 2012, see Puerto Rico Islanders.

Association football club

Soccer club

Puerto Rico FC was a professional football club based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2015, the team played in the North American Soccer League (NASL), the second tier of the American soccer pyramid. The team debuted in the 2016 fall season. The team played its home games at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium until the stadium was severely damaged by Hurricane Maria in September 2017. The team last played during the 2017 NASL season.

History

In June 2015, National Basketball Association (NBA) star Carmelo Anthony announced that he is bringing football back to Puerto Rico with a new North American Soccer League expansion franchise. The announcement took place in Bayamon, Puerto Rico; the future home base of Puerto Rico FC, scheduled to begin its first season at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in the 2016 fall season.

2016 season

Main article: 2016 Puerto Rico FC season

On August 14, 2015, Adrian Whitbread was announced as the club's inaugural coach, with Thomas Payne being appointed as president on November 10, 2015.

North American Soccer League season

Puerto Rico FC made their home debut on July 2, 2016, at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, drawing 1–1 to Indy Eleven, in front of a crowd of 6,474. Hector Ramos scored the team's first ever league goal in the 74th minute. Their first victory came against Rayo OKC on July 23, 2016, winning 1–0. They won four of their last seven games to move up from 12th place to 9th, and ended their Fall season with 24 points finishing with a 5–9–8 record.

Puerto Rican international player; Hector Ramos led the team in scoring with 8 goals.

2017 season

Main article: 2017 Puerto Rico FC season

On January 26, CONCACAF announced PRFC would host group D in the 2017 CFU Club Championship at Juan Ramón Loubrie

New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony is bringing professional soccer to Puerto Rico.

Anthony is the new owner of Puerto Rico FC, a club that will begin play in the North American Soccer League in 2016, it was announced on Thursday.

“I’m a huge fan of the game,” the eight-time All Star said in a phone interview with ESPN.com. “The sport is growing at a rapid pace, and I wanted to bring it down here to the island.”

Anthony said he’s been in discussions to bring a team to Puerto Rico for several years. Originally, he talked to the ownership of the Puerto Rican Islanders, who played in the NASL from 2011-12, about revitalizing the club.

Those discussions eventually led Anthony to seek ownership of Puerto Rico FC. The club will play its home games at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, a 12,500-seat venue outside of San Juan. It is NASL’s 13th team.

“I knew that this would be something that would kind of bring my fellow Puerto Ricans all together,” said Anthony, whose late father was Puerto Rican. “This is something they can call their own, something that they represent.”

More on ESPN FC

Carmelo Anthony talks with ESPN FC about owning a soccer club. Melo Q&A

Anthony, the club’s sole owner, said he has already been in discussions with several candidates for potential front-office roles. His first priority is to hire a president, general manager, coach and lead scout.

“We’ve talked to some people who are very interested in what I’m doing on the island,” he said.

Anthony recently spent time in Cuba as a guest of soccer legend Pele and the NASL’s New York Cosmos to watch the club play a match against the Cuban national team. He says he’s been a “huge” soccer fan for the past “8-10 years.”

Anthony’s ownership of Puerto Rico FC is also part of a larger effort by the NBA star “to impact the