Carmelo Anthony’s Hall of Fame induction inspires emotional 7-word reaction from Dwyane Wade

On September 6, 2025, in Springfield, Massachusetts, Carmelo Anthony received basketball’s highest honor when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The induction was a defining chapter for the 19-year veteran, who built a career on scoring brilliance, Olympic triumphs, and his influence on the sport’s culture. While Anthony stood in the spotlight, Dwyane Wade, his longtime friend and fellow member of the historic 2003 NBA Draft class, marked the night with an emotional gesture that captured the bond the two stars have shared for more than two decades.

Dwyane Wade’s tribute highlights brotherhood behind Carmelo Anthony’s Hall of Fame honor

Just hours before the ceremony in Springfield, Dwyane Wade posted a tribute that drew wide attention. He shared a photo of a wristband embroidered with “STAYME70” and wrote, “Tonite my brother goes into the HALL!” The words carried weight, not only because of their friendship but also because Wade himself joined the Hall of Fame in 2023.

Dwyane Wade’s choice to call Carmelo Anthony his “brother” spoke to a bond that started as rookies in 2003 and only grew stronger through years of competition and shared victories with Team USA.

Carmelo Anthony didn’t take long to make his presence felt after the Denver Nuggets made him the third pick in the 2003 draft. Defenders had to deal with a jumper that looked effortless and the kind of strength that made him tough to stop at the rim.

Night after night, he showed why he was one of the league’s most dangerous scorers, and it quickly became clear he belonged among the game’s elite. During his NBA career, Anthony collected 10 All-Star nods and was named to the league’s 75th Anniversary Team, a recognition of his lasting impact on the game.

His time with the New York Knicks delivered some of the most memorable nights in Madison Square Garden history, none bigger than the 62 point explosion in 2014 that still stands as the franchise’s single game record.

Carmelo Anthony’s success didn’t stop with the NBA. He became one of the faces of Team USA, playing in four Olympics and winning three gold medals and a bronze. Few players matched his consistency in international play, and his performances were a big part of bringing the United States back to the top of the basketball world. Wade, meanwhile, built his own dynasty in Miami, guiding the Heat to three championships and capturing the 2006 Finals MVP along the way.

Widely seen as one of the best guards of his era, Wade used Anthony’s Hall of Fame night to tip his hat not only to a friend, but to a draft class that changed the NBA forever. Their success was individual, but their respect for one another has kept that bond alive long after their playing days ended.For Anthony, stepping onto the Hall of Fame stage was the closing act in a career filled with unforgettable nights, Olympic success, and memories that will live with fans forever.For Dwyane Wade, being there to celebrate his longtime friend showed that their bond matters just as much as the stats and hardware. Their stories run parallel with two players who rose together, pushed the game forward, and left a mark that goes far beyond the years they spent on the court.Also Read: "Truly grateful" - Shaquille O' Neal's son Shaqir O'Neal makes his presence felt in Sacramento with Children's Hospital visit