Syracuse, N.Y. - Syracuse basketball legend Carmelo Anthony has thrown his support behind the hiring of Gerry McNamara as the new head coach for the Syracuse men's basketball team. Carmelo, father of freshman Kiyan Anthony, believes McNamara is the perfect fit to help develop his son's skills on the court.
Speaking on his podcast, "7 p.m. in Brooklyn," Carmelo shared his first public thoughts on McNamara's appointment. Having played alongside McNamara during Syracuse's 2003 national championship run, Carmelo is confident in his former teammate's ability to lead the program. With Kiyan expected to continue as a sophomore next season, Carmelo expressed optimism about McNamara's impact.
“Gerry is going to bring something out of Kai,” Carmelo stated. “The first way he’s going to do that is by giving him the confidence he needs.
The plan is to build a program. Get a program back.
That’s the plan.”
Kiyan Anthony, a four-star recruit, experienced a challenging first year, showcasing glimpses of his offensive talent but struggling to translate it into consistent team success. McNamara plans to meet with returning players to discuss their futures and his expectations moving forward.
Carmelo also praised Syracuse's decision to hire McNamara, emphasizing his credentials and deep connection to the university. “As an alum, it was the right thing to do,” Carmelo said.
“Gerry’s young, experienced, and has spent 15 years under one of the greatest head coaches. He had his opportunity to prove himself.”
McNamara, after two seasons as a head coach, revitalized a struggling Siena program, leading them to a conference title and an NCAA Tournament appearance. His success at Siena, including a close game against Duke, bolstered his candidacy for the Syracuse job.
Carmelo acknowledged that while other candidates had similar qualifications, McNamara's deep ties to Syracuse made him stand out. “Why not get somebody who, if you cut them open, they bleed orange?” he remarked.
The decision to hire McNamara follows a similar move three years ago when Syracuse appointed alum Adrian Autry without a national search. Autry’s tenure ended with a 49-48 record, paving the way for McNamara’s opportunity.
Carmelo also highlighted the respect McNamara received from Duke's Jon Scheyer after their NCAA Tournament clash, noting, “Once Jon Scheyer said he was outcoached by G-Mac, I knew it validated the decision. Respect from one of the best is invaluable.”
With McNamara at the helm, Syracuse fans can look forward to a new era, driven by a coach who embodies the spirit and tradition of the Orange.