Baltimore gets a lot of hype for developing some of the best lacrosse talent in the nation, but what is underappreciated is the amount of talent that Baltimore has generated on the hardwood. From NBA scoring champion, to FIBA World Champion, to NCAA Champion, Baltimore has produced a number of guys who have gone on to have success at the next level around the world.
Carmelo Anthony: Arguably the most famous athlete from Baltimore is New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony. Anthony is a 9 time all-star, 2 time Olympic Gold Medal winner, and he led the NBA in scoring in 2013. Anthony started his career at Towson Catholic High School before transferring to Oak Hill Academy. Anthony went on to attend Syracuse University in 2003 where he led his team to an NCAA championship in his only year at the school. Anthony was selected No. 3 overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. Anthony spent the first 8 years of his career in Denver before getting traded to the Knicks in 2011. Anthony has done a terrific job giving back to the Baltimore community as well. He hosts an annual 3-on-3 tournament called “Melo’s H.O.O.D.” (Holding Our Own Destiny). The purpose of this event is to help fund the revitalization of the local community center for the youth. He also founded “The Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center”, which he donated $1.5 million to the Living Classrooms Foundation.
Rudy Gay: The 10 year NBA veteran started his basketball career at Archbishop High School where he became a McDonald’s All-American. He then went on to play at UCONN. Gay had a lot of success at the collegiate level as he was named 2nd team All-American, first team All-Big East, and Big East Rookie of the Year. Gay got inducted into the “Huskies of Honor” in February 2012. After his UCONN days, Gay was selected 8th overall in the 2006 draft by the Houston Rockets. Gay has spent the majority of his playing career with the Memphis Grizzlies, but he also has played for the Toronto Raptors and he is currently on the Sacramento Kings. Throughout his career, Gay has had an impact both on and off the court. In 2010, he was named an ambassador for the Hoops for St. Jude fundraising program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Gay personally donated $22,222.22 dollars to the hospital because he wore the number 22 when he played on the Grizzlies. Due to his work with the St. Jude Research Hospital, Gay was awarded the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for March 2010.
Josh Selby: From being ranked the #1 recruit in America to now playing basketball in Turkey, it has been a long road at the professional level for Josh Selby. Selby played his high school ball at Lake Clifton High School. Selby was the #1 ranked recruit in the Nation out of high school and went on to sign with Kansas. He was the highest rated player even signed by head coach Bill Self. He only played one year at Kansas, but he won Big 12 freshman of the year. He was drafted in the second round by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2011. He spent parts of 3 seasons with the Grizzlies before getting demoted to the D-League and then eventually he decided to take his talents overseas. Selby now plays for Socar Petkim in Turkey. Despite his troubles finding a permanent home on the court, Selby has not forgotten about his Baltimore roots. He created the Walk-Away Campaign, which is an event to help prevent combat youth violence. Selby is no stranger to charity work however. He has also donated 250 blankets to the homeless, donated 200 shoes to people in need, and he enjoys giving out Thanksgiving meals to less fortunate families.