NBA Legend Carmelo Anthony Shares Honor Related to His Cigar Business

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NBA Legend Carmelo Anthony Shares Honor Related to His Cigar Business

A big achievement for Melo in his business career post basketball.

Feb 11, 2026 4:52 PM EST - By Kevin Binoy Writer, Athlon Sports

For most NBA stars, the final buzzer on their playing career isn’t just the end of a season it’s the start of a big question mark. What comes next? Some head straight to the sidelines in a suit and tie. Others step away from the spotlight completely. And then there are those who finally get the time to chase the passions they had to put on hold during the grind of an 82-game season.

For Carmelo Anthony, life after basketball seems to be a mix of creativity, culture, and entrepreneurship. The former scoring machine has stayed busy building something close to his heart, a project that blends personal pride with smart business instincts. And recently, he hopped on social media to share a milestone that clearly meant more than just numbers on a stat sheet.

Carmelo Anthony and his son, Kiyan, watch the Don Bosco Prep Ironmen. © Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 

Melo took to X to share, “Every chapter in my career taught me something about patience, craft, and purpose. Grateful for VERSA VII to be recognized as 2025 Top 25 Cigar of the Year by @cigarandspirits. Featured by Premium Cigar Association.”

Earlier this year, Kingmakers Cigars pulled back the curtain on a new addition to its lineup, a premium stick called Versa. The brand positioned it around themes of determination and staying power, and brought in 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony to represent the release. 

It wasn’t just a random partnership; the messaging leaned into ideas of versatility and inner strength, which is exactly what the name, rooted in Latin, is meant to convey.

Versa was crafted to deliver depth without being overpowering. The construction features a Habano 2000 outer leaf over a Sumatra binder, packed with tobaccos sourced from Nicaragua and Pennsylvania. 

From the first draw, smokers can expect a lively spice that gradually settles into smoother, richer layers. As it burns, darker and more roasted notes start to emerge, rounded out by a subtle sweetness that lingers on the finish.

Source: https://athlonsports.com/nba/nba-legend-carmelo-anthony-shares-honor-related-to-his-cigar-business