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Ex-Knicks star Carmelo Anthony appears to launch new relationship with NFL widow

His former New York Knicks team are on the brink of basketball history but away from the court, Carmelo Anthony appears to have found happiness too.

The 42-year-old this week appeared to hard launch his relationship with Racquel Smith, the widow of the former NFL player Will Smith.

Smith shared a picture alongside Anthony in Saint-Tropez, France on Instagram from earlier this week. Anthony had his arm around her waist and his hand on her hip.

Racquel also pointedly captioned the post with a few heart emojis and wrote: ‘We are not here long enough to be living unhappy.’

She also celebrated his 42nd birthday last week with the caption: ‘Happy birthday to one of the kindest souls I have ever met…’ 

Her former husband Will, an All-Pro defensive end, died in April 2016 in a shooting during a road rage incident in New Orleans. 

Carmelo Anthony has appeared to launch his relationship with NFL widow Racquel Smith

Smith's former husband, Will, dies in 2016 after a shooting in an apparent road rage incident

Smith’s former husband, Will, dies in 2016 after a shooting in an apparent road rage incident

Smith played for New Orleans Saints when he died

Anthony pictured at the Knicks game this week

Smith played for New Orleans Saints when he died and now, it seems that his wife has found happiness once again

Smith played for the Saints at the time and Racquel was also shot and injured in the incident.

In 2024, a jury unanimously convicted Cardell Hayes of Smith’s manslaughter in a retrial.

Anthony, meanwhile, has been single since his 2021 divorce from ex-wife La La Anthony after 11 years of marriage.

Anthony is a father of two – he had son Kiyan with his ex-wife and a daughter, Genesis, from a past relationship with Mia Burks.

He played in the NBA for 19 seasons, starring for the Denver Nuggets as well as the Knicks.

He last played for the Los Angeles Lakers and after retiring from the sport, has become an analyst for NBC.

His former Knicks team, meanwhile, play the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night knowing that a win will secure their first NBA Championship since 1973.

Anthony was courtside for Wednesday’s game, where the Knicks set an NBA Finals comeback record by overturning San Antonio Spurs’ 29-point lead to win and go 3-1 up in the series.Â