Syracuse basketball national champ set to become next head coach
Carmelo Anthony led the 2002-03 Syracuse men’s basketball team to a national championship in his lone season with the program. It turned out to be the only NCAA title of legendary Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim’s 47-year career. But Anthony and Boeheim had plenty of help.
Point guard Gerry McNamara directed the offense that season as a freshman, turning in a team-high 4. 4 assists per game to go along with 13. 3 points.
A clutch performer, he knocked down 90. 9 percent of his free throws. MORE: BYU star AJ Dybantsa’s mother will play huge role in 2026 NBA Draft decision In the national final against the Kansas Jayhawks, McNamara knocked down six 3-pointers for 18 points as Syracuse pulled out an 81-78 win.
McNamara finished his Syracuse career with 2,099 points. Now, as ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported , McNamara is returning to western New York to take over the Syracuse program. McNamara just completed his second season as the head coach for the Siena Saints after serving as a Syracuse assistant from 2009 to 2024.
Siena won the MAAC Tournament title this season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 16 seed. The top-seeded Duke Blue Devils struggled before dispatching the Saints, 71-65, in the first round.