The early 2000s were a golden age for sneakerheads.

In the midst of it all was Carmelo Anthony. He led Syracuse to the 2003 NCAA national championship as a freshman before becoming the No. 3 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, compiling a 19-year career that ended Monday when he announced his retirement.

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A 10-time NBA All-Star, Anthony in 2003 signed with Jordan Brand and made an impact with his groundbreaking signature shoe collection. Many NBA players have worn Jordan Brand, but few have had a grip on the sneakers game like Anthony.

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It all started with the Jordan Melo 1.5, named appropriately as it blended elements of the Air Jordan 1 and 2. That shoe was wildly popular — to the point where you didn’t have to be a Nuggets fan to want them.

Anthony had 13 signature shoes under Jordan Brand. The 1.5 is my favorite, but there were plenty of models to like. Let’s look back at all 13 as I rank the Melos.

1. Jordan Melo 1.5

Run back the Jordan Melo 1.5 in both Nuggets and Knicks flavors @Jumpman23

— I Want Julius Randle Gone Immediately (@MrMarinKnows) May 22, 2023

With this first edition, it’s part presentation and part nostalgia. Released November 2004, this might be the marquee basketball shoe of Jordan Brand. It wasn’t long after when Anthony made history in his first signature sneaker. On Dec. 4, 2004, Anthony reached 2,000 points for his career.

2. Jordan Melo 5.5

You had to be there #melo 5.5 🔥

— Modern Notoriety (@ModernNotoriety) May 22, 2023

The second installment of the Melo borrowed from the Jordan 5 and 6. It dropped in 2005, and the silhouette gives heavy Jordan 5 vibes. Anthony saw his scoring average jump from 20.8 points in the 2004-05 season to 26.5 the following season.

3. Melo M3

I think I had the Melo M3’s back in like 5th grade

— Jesus Aguirre (@JesusAguirre121) April 20, 2020

The third version of the Melo was the first without the “.5” designation, signaling a break from giving a nod to taking elements from other Jordan models (even though I see some shades of the Jordan 12). First released in December 2006, Anthony made his first All-Star game a couple of months later. He averaged a career-high 28.9 points for the 2006-07 season.

4. Melo M6/M6 Future Sole

Anthony averaged 28.2 points a game during the 2009-10 season. The M6 was released October 2009, and it had eye-catching colorways. Perhaps the best was the white shoe with black and red accents. The Future Sole was the second release during the season, just in time for Anthony’s final full season with the Nuggets. Released in May 2010, the Future Sole has a hint of the 1.5, but the strap across the front adds a fresh look.

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5. Melo M10

What are your thoughts on the Jordan Melo M10 PE's?

— Sneaker Shouts™ (@SneakerShouts) October 29, 2014

This edition was designed in part by legendary designer Tinker Hatfield, leading Anthony to refer to the shoe’s art as “Picasso, baby.” The shoe was released January 2014, and Anthony averaged a league-high 38.7 minutes in the 2013-14 season. He scored a career-high 62 points against Charlotte on Jan. 24, 2014.

6. Melo M13

Carmelo makes his return to the Garden in the Jordan Melo M13.

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 17, 2017

Released in January 2017, this is Anthony’s final shoe. It also was released during what would be Anthony’s last season with the Knicks. He was dealt to Oklahoma City during the 2017 offseason and later played for Houston (2018-19) and Portland (2019-21). He last played with the Lakers during the 2021-22 season.

7. Melo M7/M7 Advance

Melo M7 Advance “Welcome Home” Away. On of the few Melos with Max Air Technology. #STAYME7O #AirMaxDay

— Code Breaker👨🏾‍💻 (@JBreak23) March 26, 2020

This would be the last Melo shoe with him as a member of the Nuggets. He’d be traded to New York during the 2010-11 season. His red version of the shoe for the All-Star Game was eye-catching.

8. Melo M5

This shoe was released in January 2009, which was Anthony’s most successful season in Denver. The Nuggets reached the Western Conference finals, losing to the Lakers that season. The design gives me Jordan 13 vibes in some ways.

9. Melo M4

Anthony paired with Allen Iverson in Denver when this shoe was released in 2007. But the Nuggets’ playoff struggles didn’t end, as they were swept by the Lakers in the first round. Times have changed in 2023.

10. Melo M8/M8 Advance

These showed up with Anthony as a member of the Knicks. Anthony led the NBA in 2012-13 while rocking these shoes, averaging 28.7 points per game. Take away this season, it was the last time the Knicks had won a playoff series.

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11. Melo M12

Released in January 2016, this shoe had a simple design that provided for multiple color options. It was a choice of some Jordan Brand basketball teams during the NCAA Tournament — including Marquette.

12. Melo M9

This shoe released in 2013 and had a streetball feel, which might have been appropriate with Anthony playing in New York with its famous outdoor courts.

13. Melo M11

This design released January 2015 and resulted in some of the more interesting colorways of the Melo collection. The “Red Hook Sunset” and “Concrete Island” versions make for intriguing options.

(Photo: Victor Baldizon / NBAE via Getty Images)