Carmelo Anthony Helps Break Ground On New “Melo Center”

SYRACUSE, NY (AP) – Five years after he enrolled for his memorable year at Syracuse University, Carmelo Anthony helped break ground Wednesday on a new basketball practice facility that will bear his name. “I just can’t thank the Syracuse community enough for bringing me here,” said Anthony, who as a freshman led the Orange to the 2003 NCAA national championship and then left school to sign with the NBA’s Denver Nuggets. “I don’t think anybody realizes how much this is going to do for the men’s and women’s teams.” Flanked by head coach Jim Boeheim and athletic director Daryl Gross, Anthony, shovel in hand and orange hard hat atop his head, posed for photos next to the architect’s rendering of the new million complex, which will be called the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center. Anthony donated million to get the fundraising under way. The 23-year-old Anthony, who grew up in a tough neighborhood in Baltimore that he called “The Pharmacy” because of rampant drug abuse, was beaming with pride. “I don’t think there is an active athlete in the world today who has their own building, especially at my age,” Anthony said. “My plan when I came to Syracuse was to stay at least two to three years. I didn’t think I was going to do what I did in that one year. But playing in front of 30000 people, we was like the Beatles, walking around and getting that love around the city. It felt good. I always told coach Boeheim, ‘Whatever you need me to do, I’m going to do.’ ” Gross said …
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