Carmelo Anthony
 

After a blowout win for Team USA that won Carmelo Anthony his third Olympic gold medal -- making him the first basketball player to accomplish that feat -- the New York Knick was feeling sentimental and reflecting on his career.

Some significant things were said in the heat of victory. For one, Anthony effectively retired from international basketball, saying he'd helped the team accomplished his goals, and that it was time for him to step aside.

But he got choked up when talking about issues back home, where racial and social tensions remain high -- an issue that Anthony has deeply involved himself with during this NBA offseason.


"I just want to say thank you for allowing me to be one of the leaders -- not just of our team, but of our country," he said. "Despite of everything that's going on right now in our country, we gotta be united. I'm glad I did what I did, I stepped up to the challenge.

"This is what it's about. Representing our country on the biggest stage that you can be on. America will be great again. I believe that. We got a lot of work to do. It's one step at a time. I'm glad we represented in the fashion that we did."

From his involvement on the infamous 2004 Olympic team, which won only a bronze and prompted an overhaul of USA Basketball, to his landmark third Olympic gold and a record-setting win streak that will endure beyond him, Anthony has made great contributions as perhaps the best Olympic basketball player ever.

Now, other challenges await on the home front.

More Olympics:
-- Michael Phelps Teaches Katie Ledecky Proper Medal-Wearing Technique
-- Olympians In The NFL
-- Diving At Finish Line Isn't Just Legal, It's Smart