Germany found the way to Team USA’s defense early on, gaining momentum as the game progressed. Around the fourth quarter, Team USA had the fans excited by igniting hopes for a comeback. Anthony Edwards dropped 23 points. Jalen Brunson added 15 points to help lead the team. With both teams shooting equally well, Team USA’s defensive struggles were evident throughout the game. And despite shooting 58 percent, Team USA fell 113–111 to Germany, ending up without the gold medal. After this disappointing loss in FIBA in 2023, will Team USA be able to make a comeback? FIBA ambassador Carmelo Anthony has something to say.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 is going to be unique in many ways. This will be the first edition ever held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and hosted by a single city, Qatar. Earlier in January, global ambassador Melo unveiled the official visual identity of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027. Along with it, the Step It Up campaign was also launched to connect the fanbase and players. In a recently held event, Melo opened up about the competition and where Team USA stands as of now.

And as one might assume, Melo didn’t forget the disappointing loss handed to Team USA by Germany in the semifinals. It was a hard one. “Germany is, they’re the champs, right? So you have to go take it from them. I mean, hopefully we would do right. The U.S. would be ready. I think coming off these, losing the World Cup, the last World Cup, have an opportunity to have that experience in the Olympics, and now hopefully we can carry that over to 27. I think we will be intentional on who we bring over to the World Cup in 27,” he said.

And well, he didn’t forget how efficient Team Canada was in defeating Team USA either. Speaking of Team USA’s win against France in the 2024 Olympics and looking ahead to the 2027 edition, he added that Team USA will be prepared for the action. He added, “You still have Canada out there. You still have South Sudan, France is still out there. I just think the competition is just getting better and better…And for me as a fan, although I’m a little biased to Team USA, it’s still enjoyable to watch” the teams compete.

They lost to Team Canada in a thrilling overtime game for bronze. This was Canada’s first-ever win in the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the tournament’s history. Dillon Brooks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were unstoppable as they led Team Canada to a 127–118 win.

It’s still too soon, but Melo is quite confident. Team USA last won the gold medal back in 2014. Stephen Curry was one of the members on that roster. The time before that was in 2010. That means it has been nearly 11 years since the team was able to achieve a gold medal win.

Apart from his duties for FIBA, Melo is also juggling his time for his alma mater, Syracuse.

Carmelo Anthony’s sincere and wholesome message for the 2025 graduates

He returned to the same place for an event and had a heart-to-heart exchange with the graduates of the 2025 class. Back in 2002–03, the Knicks legend had an incredible season, averaging 22.2 points. He led the Orangemen to their first NCAA win that year. The New York Knicks legend’s 33-point performance against the University of Texas in the Final Four set a new NCAA tournament record for the most points scored by a freshman.

Now, his son Kiyan is also part of his alma mater. So, when Melo returned to the JMA Wireless Dome, it felt like a full-circle moment to him. “Twenty-two years later, to return here, not in a jersey but on the stage speaking to you, the class of 2025, it feels like life has come all the way around,” he said. There were about 6900 students graduating this year. Addressing the graduates present at the event, he gave a wholesome speech to connect with them and share what this connection means to him.

“Take that Orange spirit into the world. Be bold….Honor your roots. Chase your dreams. And don’t be afraid to rewrite the script as you go,” Melo’s words for the new graduates.

As his son gears up for his college games, the former NBA player will officially take his talents to NBC for his new role as an in-studio analyst. Interestingly, Michael Jordan will join Melo and Vince Carter at NBC as a special contributor. It will be an exciting year for the Anthonys.