Former Syracuse basketball star Carmelo Anthony used his trademark pump fake, followed by a fadeaway to score one of the most important baskets of his 17-year career Tuesday night.
The basket was significant because it moved him into 12th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, passing Hall of Fame point guard Oscar Robertson.
Anthony entered the game needing 12 points to eclipse Robertson and achieved the milestone early in the fourth quarter of the Portland Trail Blazers’ 106-97 win over the Orlando Magic. He finished the game with a season-high 23 points along with three rebounds and three blocks.
He shot 7-of-16 from the field while making 5-of-9 from the 3-point line.
Throughout his career, Anthony has scored 26,722 points. He’s 225 points behind legendary Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon.
Anthony, 36, averages 12 points per game off the bench for the Trail Blazers. At that pace, he could reach the Hall of Fame big man shortly after the league’s All-Star break in March.
As Anthony continues to add to his resume as one of the league’s best scorers, 11th is likely the highest he will reach this season. Elvin Hayes sits at No. 10, who scored 27,313 points (592 points to pass).
Anthony passed former Atlanta Hawks forward Dominique Wilkins last Wednesday. He surpassed former Boston Celtics greats Paul Pierce and John Havlicek last season.
He adds to a prominent basketball career that includes three Olympic Gold medals, one NBA scoring title, 10 All-Star appearances, six All-NBA selections and a NCAA national championship with Syracuse.
Anthony is one of four former Syracuse Orangemen that are actively playing in the NBA, including Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant, Utah Jazz guard Elijah Hughes and Magic guard Michael Carter-Williams.
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