PARIS (AP) — The video went viral — Bogdan Bogdanovic doing the same “3 to dome” celebration of tapping three fingers to the side of his head after a made 3-point shot that retired Carmelo Anthony popularized during his career
That Bogdanovic did it while looking at Anthony — a three-time Olympic gold medalist for the U.S. — as he sat courtside at Bercy Arena after making a 3 during Serbia’s near upset of the Americans in the semifinals made it an even bigger thing. And the fact that the U.S. rallied shortly afterward to a 95-91 victory made it an outright social media phenomenon.
But if there was any perception that he was taunting Anthony, a likely Hall of Famer, Bogdanovic put that to rest after Serbia’s bronze medal game victory over Germany on Saturday.
“If you know me, then you know that I enjoy the game,” Bogdanovic said. “I like to compete, and I will always compete. It’s fire. I’ve been doing (the gesture) that for a long time. I know somebody’s thinking it’s provocation or something. But that’s media. For me, it’s just enjoyment and competitiveness for the sport and respect for him. I look at him over there as a legend. Nothing more than respect and competitiveness.”
That was on display during the game when Bogdanovic continued to do the Anthony-inspired gesture after making each of his three 3s.
During Serbia’s postgame celebration after winning bronze, Bogdanovic went over to Anthony and the two embraced for a long hug.
This is Bogdanovic’s second Olympic medal. He was 23 years old when Serbia won silver in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
Bogdan Bogdanovic (7), of Serbia and Aleksa Avramovic (30), of Serbia greet Carmelo Anthony after Serbia beat Germany during a men's bronze medal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Everton did local rival Liverpool a big favor in the Premier League title race by taking points off second-place Arsenal on Saturday.
A 1-1 draw at Goodison Park left Arsenal 11 points behind Liverpool with seven games to play in what is looking like an increasingly forlorn task to catch the leaders.
Iliman Ndiaye converted a penalty in the 49th minute to earn Everton a point after Leandro Trossard gave the lead in the 34th to Arsenal, which left key players — like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka — out of its starting team ahead of hosting Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Liverpool's game in hand is at Fulham on Sunday, with the Reds' task having gotten much easier as they look to secure a record-tying 20th English top-flight title.
Saka came on as a halftime substitute for Arsenal, four days after making a goalscoring return to action against Fulham after 3½ months out.
Arsenal is five points ahead of Nottingham Forest, which visits Aston Villa later Saturday.
Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Everton's Beto, top, and Arsenal's William Saliba battle for the ballduring the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park, Liverpool, England, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)
Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly, center, battles for the ball with Everton's James Tarkowski, left, and Jack Harrison during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park, Liverpool, England, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)
Arsenal's Leandro Trossard, right, is challenged by Everton's Idrissa Gueye during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park, Liverpool, England, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)
Arsenal's Leandro Trossard, second left, celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park, Liverpool, England, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)
Everton's Jack Harrison, left, and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka battle for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park, Liverpool, England, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)
Arsenal's Declan Rice, right, reacts during a stop in play during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park, Liverpool, England, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)
Everton's Iliman Ndiaye, left, celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park, Liverpool, England, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)
