LOOK: Carmelo Anthony spends day hooping with kids in Rio favelas
Knicks star is with the people on an off-day for Team USA
By
Matt Moore
•
1 min read
Carmelo Anthony is not living a sheltered existence these days. In the early summer, Melo traveled to Cuba and hung out in Savannah.
And while in Rio on a day off as Team USA waits to begin knockout-round play vs. Argentina on Wednesday (how to watch), Melo decided to spend the day in Rio, but not in the Olympic Village or any tourist areas. He went to the favelas and played pickup with some kids.
This is pretty much the most boss photo of a player in Rio so far:
Anthony is really the face of Team USA now, and as he has gotten older, he has taken a real interest in being a public figure in the world, not just an athlete. He's committed to his community, both in New York and Baltimore where he grew up. He held a town hall meeting with police and members of the black community as well as athletes and Black Lives Matters protesters in Los Angeles.
He is coming into his own as a man of the people, and acts like going out to the favelas, which have been overlooked and curtained during these Olympic games, are another sign of that, even if he undoubtedly had staunch Team USA security with him.
Anthony has averaged 15 points per game during the Olympics. He and Team USA face Argentina on Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. ET.
