He was a part of basketball history.
Game 4 of the NBA Finals was one of the best days of Carmelo Rios’s life.
The 12-year-old Knicks superfan, who accidentally went mega viral for his emotional reaction to being gifted Knicks playoff tickets, not only got to experience last night’s magic when the Knicks swept the San Antonio Spurs in an epic one-point win at Madison Square Garden — but he also met his namesake, Carmelo Anthony, courtside.
The middle schooler won America’s heart when his mom, NYC-based photographer Angelisa, posted a TikTok video of him overcome with gratitude and shock at receiving Game 5 Playoff tickets for his 12th birthday.
Unexpectedly, the video went viral, garnering over 1 million views, with thousands of commenters sharing in Carmelo and his die-hard Knicks fan of a father, Felix’s excitement.
But as the story goes, the Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in just four games, nixing both Game 5 and the opportunity for the father-son duo to witness their favorite team, which hasn’t been to the Finals in 27 years and hasn’t held a championship title since 1973, play live.
Millions who were following Carmelo’s story were utterly disappointed that Carmelo and Felix were no longer able to make it to the game.
But little did America and the Rios family know that former 2011-2017 Knickerbocker and someone the 12-year-old and his father idolize, Carmelo Anthony, was one of those people, working behind the scenes to make Carmelo’s Knicks dreams come true.
In a wild turn of events, the former NBA superstar teamed up with Fanatics, the official sports merch and collectible store, to send Carmelo and Felix to last night’s jaw-dropping game.
Not only did Carmelo get to experience the greatest comeback in Finals history with his parents and cousin (sports betting company Kalshi also gifted Angelisa two tickets to attend last night’s game), but he also had the incredible opportunity to step onto the court to hug and meet Mr. Anthony.
“I’m so happy and thankful to everyone who supported me,” an emotional Carmelo is heard saying in a TikTok live posted immediately after the game. “It was the most beautiful experience,” his mom told The Post.
Camelo’s supporters flooded the video’s comment section, ecstatic for the young teen.
“YOU GET THE EPIC GAME!!!!!!!! I AM SO EXCITED I AM SCREAMING FOR YOU, STRANGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” a comment read.
“My husband and I were worrying all night about little Melo’s experience because most of the game was so bad. Literally, we were worrying about this kid we saw on TikTok. But it turned out AMAZING! So excited for you…” another chimed in.
“And then he witnessed the greatest game of his lifetime,” someone else wrote.
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