USA’s Austin Reaves reacts the ball during the FIBA Basketball World Cup semi-final match between USA and Germany in Manila on September 8, 2023. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines—Team USA guard Austin Reaves paid tribute to his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Carmelo Anthony, who sat courtside for the United States’ Fiba World Cup semifinal game against Germany on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Reaves hit the iconic “Three to the Dome” celebration after swishing a 3-pointer to tie the game at 29 with 1:19 remaining in the second quarter.
“I saw him over there. I was lucky enough to be around him for a year. Super professional. Someone that held me a lot in my rookie year and much respect for him,” Reaves said of Anthony.
Austin Reaves hits the Melo celebration right in front of him 👌#FIBAWC x #WinForUSA 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/WA0mz4vCDU
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 8, 2023
Not long after the gesture, Anthony gave Reaves a seal of approval on social media.
“#AR15 🫡,” Anthony wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
#AR15 🫡 https://t.co/5a51PY0KJw
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) September 8, 2023
But there was no celebration for Reaves and Team USA after the game with Germany gutting out a 113-111 victory to reach the gold medal game.
Reaves played one of his best games of the tournament with 21 points, which was his most in this World Cup.
The 39-year-old Anthony, one of the most decorated members of USA Basketball during his playing years with three Olympic gold medals, arrived in Manila on Thursday along with fellow NBA legend Pau Gasol for the final phase of the World Cup.
Anthony, Gasol and Luis Scola, who landed in Manila on Wednesday, are in town fulfilling their roles as 2023 Fiba World Cup ambassadors.
Anthony, who announced his retirement last May after 19 seasons in the NBA, dropped by Team USA practice on Thursday.
He was a 10-time NBA All-Star who last played for the Lakers in the 2021-22 season.
Germany plays Serbia for the gold on Sunday while Team USA and Canada battle for bronze.