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Puerto Rican national team trying to recruit Melo

Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Carmelo Anthony may be looking for another professional basketball team, but he already has an interested suitor in the amateur national ranks. The Puerto Rican Basketball Federation - and current players such as J.J. Barea - are trying to recruit Anthony for the national team.

"We tried a bunch to get him in the past, but of course nobody blamed him for playing for Team USA," Barea told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. "But if he ever wants a chance to represent us, it would be awesome to have him."

Anthony, who was born in New York to parents of Puerto Rican descent, suited up for the United States in four Olympics and one FIBA World Championship before retiring from the national program in 2016. USA Basketball would need to grant him a waiver to play for another country.

The 34-year-old has long taken part in numerous charitable endeavors on the island territory, and also owns NASL soccer team Puerto Rico FC.

The Rockets announced Thursday that they were parting ways with Anthony, although he's yet to be officially waived as it's believed Houston is trying to accommodate his landing with another team.

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