Stephen A. Smith Shares Strong Views on Carmelo Anthony’s Sentencing

Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back when discussing Carmelo Anthony’s sentencing recently. In a new episode of the Straight Shooter podcast, he emphatically stated, “Carmelo Anthony murdered Austin Metcalf. There’s no other way to cut it.” Anthony was found guilty of murdering the 17-year-old Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years in prison following a stabbing incident at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025.

Carmelo Anthony’s Conviction Timeline

On that tragic day, the altercation began when Anthony entered another team’s tent at the track meet. Metcalf and his twin brother, Hunter, told him to leave. Smith challenged the defense’s claim that Anthony acted in self-defense, questioning the justification for pulling out a knife in such a situation.

He also voiced his dissatisfaction with the jury’s composition, noting there were only about six minorities among the 18 jurors, and none were black. “I don’t think that’s going to be decided by a ‘jury of my peers,'” he commented on the podcast.

In his podcast, Smith expressed concern about the emotional toll on parents whose children are involved in competitive sports. “Any parent whose child is in high school, knowing very well that they are competing in track and field, would be heartbroken to receive a phone call or a knock on the door and be told that their child will never come home,” he reflected.

Clearly, this incident has drawn strong, varied opinions, and Smith has consistently navigated the complex emotions surrounding it throughout his discussions.