Carmelo Anthony says Jim Boeheim talked him out of returning to Syracuse

Carmelo Anthony wanted to return for his sophomore year at Syracuse, but coach Jim Boeheim talked him out of it.

We often assume that one-and-done college basketball players can’t wait to leave school for the NBA. Well, Carmelo Anthony is proof that’s not always the case.

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Anthony, who was selected No. 3 overall in the 2003 NBA Draft after playing a year at Syracuse, revealed Friday that he wanted to stay a second season and had to be convinced by legendary coach Jim Boeheim to leave.

From theknicksblog.com:

"“I did not know [I was leaving] until after we won the championship and even up until that point I still went in there and had a conversation with [Syracuse coach Jim] Boeheim about trying to figure out how to come back to school,” Anthony said Friday at practice.“I had the press conference, I was crying in the press conference because at that point I didn’t really want to leave, I had so much fun at that point in time.“It wasn’t till [Boeheim] told me to pack my bags and get on outta there, so that’s what happened.”"

It’s incredible to hear that Melo wanted to stay when he was basically guaranteed of being a top draft-pick, but winning the NCAA title clearly and understandably had a big impact on him.

Thankfully, Melo listened to Boeheim. The star forward was clearly NBA ready at the time and there was little reason for him to stay in college.

Carmelo averaged 27.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game this past season with the New York Knicks.

Carmelo Anthony says Jim Boeheim talked him out of returning to Syracuse

By Sam Richmond | Oct 10, 2014

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