After spending 19 years in the NBA, Carmelo Anthony announced his retirement from professional basketball via social media on Monday (May 22).

He recounts the days when he had nothing and basketball was his outlet. The 38 year old stated that his “purpose was strong, my communities, the cities I represent with pride and the fans that supported me along the way, I am forever grateful for those people and places because they made me Carmelo Anthony.” While he was not in the NBA this season, he retires as the No. 9 scorer in the league’s history. Only LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O’Neal scored more than Anthony — who finishes his career with 28,289 points.