Rare photos of Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony has racked up five All-Star nods, an Olympic gold medal and a reputation as one of the league's elite players since being drafted in 2003 as the third overall pick. Here's a look at 'Melo on and off the court over the years ... ... starting with this picture of him when he was a kid. On a horse. How cute.

LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony were the two most-coveted high school stars in 2002 -- Anthony a senior at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia (and with a dread-'fro), James a junior at St. Vincent-St. Mary's in Ohio. Anthony went on to win a national championship at Syracuse before being selected by Denver with the No. 3 pick in 2003. LeBron jumped straight to the pros in '03 as the top overall pick.

The dynamic duo pose on draft night.

LeBron and Carmelo have remained close over the years. And it's quite obvious they share a lot in common: basketball and affinity for bright leather coats and oversized, diamond-encrusted watches.

You know those awkward rookie portraits? Here's one of Carmelo.

And another.

And here's one from 2008 All-Star weekend. Nice hat.

Remember all the buzz after Carmelo's Manhattan wedding in July 2010, just days after LeBron announced his "Decision" to head to Miami? Hornets star Chris Paul reportedly made a toast about one day joining Carmelo and Amar'e Stoudemire in New York to create the NBA's next Big Three (it was later revealed that the comment was taken out of context).Well, here's that trio in 2008 at the West All-Star practice. The trio looks quite natural on the court together.

Carmelo and Nuggets teammate J.R. Smith enjoy some down time at the Texas-Colorado football game in Boulder, Colo. in 2008.

Anthony paid the QVC guys a visit in 2007 to help sell ... iPod docks? We're as confused (and amused) as you are.

As part of Team USA, Carmelo and his teammates were treated to some gourmet fare after practice for Hoops for Troops in 2006 in Seoul, South Korea.

Carmelo and Diddy (back then he went by P. Diddy) strike a pose at the 2005 All-Star Game.

'Melo's got love for footballers. Especially when they come to his hometown of Baltimore. He got to meet Brazilian star Ronaldinho and Chelsea's Didier Drogba during a World Football Challenge in 2009.

Carmelo shows of his bowling skills at a charity event in Colorado.

'Melo and R&B singer Mario graced MTV's live show, TRL, at the Hard Rock Casino in Vegas.

Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo and LeBron attend the U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team unveiling of their new team look to fans in New York before they took off for the 2008 Games in Beijing. The "Redeem Team" defeated Spain in the final to capture the gold medal, ending an eight-year drought for the team at major international competitions.

Anthony and Jim Boeheim, a Team USA coach and Carmelo's coach at Syracuse, spent some quality time together in the Big Apple.

The best part of this photo: Check out Barbara Bush and LeBron. They seem to be enjoying a nice bear hug.

Kenyon Martin, Anthony, Allen Iverson and Chucky Atkins -- Denver teammates in 2007 -- enjoyed a round of video games with local elementary students during the Nuggets' annual holiday party at the Pepsi Center.

'Melo and mini-'Melo (his son Kiyan) spend some quality bonding time with coach George Karl in the Nuggets' locker room.

This whip is so much better than that "Witness/Quitness" mobile for LeBron. Mainly because Carmelo got a Jaguar, and that LeBron one was an Oldsmobile.

Here's Carmelo roping a fake calf. Why? Because that's what people were doing at the 2010 All-Star Celebrity Game in Dallas.

'Melo and Dontaye Draper travel with all the amenities.

Pre-wedding festivities at Amnesia in New York City with Amar'e and Kenyon Martin. Pretty sure Amar'e is flashing a "No. 1" sign, but it's unclear what Carmelo and Martin are doing.

Carmelo looks dapper for his wedding with MTV VJ La La Vasquez at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.