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Syracuse Basketball: Boeheim’s Army taking a hard look at Carmelo Anthony

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Former Syracuse Orange player Carmelo Anthony smiles as his number is retired during a ceremony at half time during the game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2013 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Nate Shron/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Former Syracuse Orange player Carmelo Anthony smiles as his number is retired during a ceremony at half time during the game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2013 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Nate Shron/Getty Images) /
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Boeheim’s Army is taking a hard look at Syracuse basketball legend Carmelo Anthony. Here are all the details and why he isn’t ready to retire.

As we get closer to Boeheim’s Army revealing their first look at their initial roster on June 1st, everyone is starting to speculate who could be next?

Well, one name that has been floated in conversations is Syracuse basketball icon, Carmelo Anthony.

Ryan Blackwell, head coach for Boeheim’s Army, joined Niko Tamurian of CNY Central and when he was asked the question who could be next? Blackwell name dropped Carmelo Anthony:

"“Possibly Andrew White, we’ve been in talks with him I’ve heard. Possibly Hakim (Warrick) might come back, maybe Arinze (Onuaku). People keep tweeting me and texting me about Carmelo Anthony and I know he’s a free agent, but you never know.”"

Carmelo has been playing basketball at the highest level for a very long time. After winning Jim Boeheim his lone National Championship back in 2003, Melo moved on to the NBA and has been playing there ever since:

  • Denver Nuggets (2003-2011)
  • New York Knicks (2011-2017)
  • Oklahoma City Thunder (2017-2018)
  • Atlanta Hawks (2018-2018)
  • Houston Rockets (2018-2019)
  • Chicago Bulls (2019-2019)

But now Carmelo’s career is at a crossroads. At the ripe age of 35 is it time to retire after a few down years?

Not according to his wife Lala who posted a long Instagram happy birthday message to her husband saying he’s not done yet:

"“No matter how much you’ve been “blamed, overlooked, underestimated, scapegoated, blame it on Melo” (you see how that turned out right?) regardless of all of the things “they” say. You’ve stayed solid. You’ve never lashed out. You’ve never even spoken a single bad word. You stay humble. You stay in the gym 24/7. A lot of people could learn from you because by now most would have been broken down. Happy Birthday to a real one. Don’t count him out just yet, there’s more to come. Happy Birthday Carmelo Anthony, love you always!”"

That message screams retribution and what better way to get it for Carmelo then to join some of the best former Syracuse basketball stars in their chase for a $2 million cash prize in the 2019 TBT tournament?

General manager Kevin Belbey revealed during the Chris McCullough introduction to the team this year that it was the first time he even attempted to recruit him to Boeheim’s Army because he was chasing the NBA.

Since Carmelo is a free agent, perhaps now is the perfect time to start that recruiting pitch? There is also still a strong belief that Carmelo could return to the NBA next season.

Melo only played in 10 games during the 2018-19 NBA season and hasn’t played in a game since November 8th, 2018. In other words, it has been over seven months since we’ve seen Carmelo play hoops.

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Boeheim’s Army and the TBT tournament could be an opportunity for Melo to shake off some rust, show NBA teams he still has plenty left in the tank, and could curry some favor among the Syracuse faithful with a trip down memory lane.

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