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The Syracuse University basketball team captured its first-ever National Championship in 2003.
The man who played an integral role on that title team, also played an integral role in having a basketball only practice facility built on campus.
Carmelo Anthony always wanted to give back to Syracuse University. And give back he did. Anthony’s lead gift of $3 million kick-started the construction of the facility. On September 24,
2009, the $19 million Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center that houses the men’s and women’s basketball teams officially opened.
Anthony’s gift represented one of the largest individual donations to Syracuse University Athletics and is also believed to be one of the largest by a current professional athlete to the school they attended.
“I would never in a million years think I would be sitting here today six or seven years after winning a national championship, doing the ribbon cutting for my building,” exclaimed Anthony.
The 54,000-square foot state-of-the-art facility - part of the John A. Lally Athletics Complex - features two full-practice courts, a strength and conditioning room, state-of-the art athletic training suite, offices for both coaching staffs, and complete locker room facilities.
