Carmelo Anthony may have stepped away from the hardwood, but he hasn’t stepped away from the game. Whether he’s making moves in business, hosting his “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast, or mentoring the next generation, Melo stays connected-and when he speaks, people listen.
So when he named his Athlete and Person of the Year for 2025, it wasn’t just a headline-it was a statement. His pick?
A’ja Wilson.
And honestly, it’s hard to argue with him.
“She’s the face of women’s sports,” Anthony said. “Her voice is powerful, it’s impactful.
My daughter looks up to A’ja Wilson. She stamped her flag.”
That’s high praise coming from a Hall of Famer-and it’s well-earned. Wilson’s 2025 was nothing short of dominant.
She added a fourth WNBA MVP to her already stacked résumé and led the Las Vegas Aces to yet another championship. That’s not just winning-it’s building a legacy.
Wilson has become the engine of a dynasty, and in doing so, she’s elevated the WNBA’s profile with every step.
But it’s not just what she does on the court-it’s how she moves off of it. Her signature Nike sneaker, the A’One, sold out in minutes.
That’s not just about style-it’s cultural impact. And her book, Dear Black Girls, didn’t just hit shelves-it hit the New York Times bestseller list.
Wilson is shaping the narrative, owning her platform, and inspiring a generation in the process.
Anthony, who’s long understood what it means to carry the weight of a franchise and a culture, even compared Wilson’s influence to that of LeBron James. That’s not a comparison you throw around lightly.
But in Wilson’s case, it fits. Like LeBron, she understands the responsibility that comes with being the face of a sport-and she’s embracing it.
Of course, Anthony knows a thing or two about legacy himself. The 10-time All-Star and Olympic gold medalist was officially inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025-a well-deserved honor after a 19-year career that saw him become one of the most prolific scorers of his era. His induction isn’t just a celebration of the past-it’s a benchmark for the future.
And speaking of the future, the Hall has already released its list of eligible candidates for the Class of 2026. Knicks fans will recognize some familiar names: Amar’e Stoudemire, Jamal Crawford, and former head coach Mike D’Antoni.
Stoudemire, at his peak, was a force of nature-a six-time All-Star whose explosiveness redefined the big man role during the early 2000s. Injuries may have shortened his prime, but his impact is undeniable.
Crawford, one of the most electrifying bench scorers the league has ever seen, racked up three Sixth Man of the Year awards and left a lasting imprint with his creativity and clutch shot-making. And then there’s D’Antoni, whose “seven seconds or less” offense helped usher in the pace-and-space revolution that still defines the modern NBA.
All three bring strong cases to the table. But in many ways, Anthony’s recent induction sets the tone. His career is now a measuring stick-a reminder of what it means to not just play the game, but to shape it.
And that’s exactly what A’ja Wilson is doing right now. With every MVP, every championship, every sold-out sneaker and bestselling book, she’s not just winning-she’s leading.
She’s building something bigger than stats or trophies. She’s becoming the standard.
Just like Melo did.