FanPost

It's Time to Honor G-Mac's Jersey

Very few Syracuse basketball players have had the honor of having their jersey up on the rafters of the Carrier Dome. In fact, only 10 numbers are honored at the Dome. The list includes:


Derrick Coleman: #44

Pearl Washington: #31

Billy Owens: #30

Dave Bing: #22

Sherman Douglas: #20

Wilmeth Sidat-Singh: #19

Billy Gabor: #17

Carmelo Anthony: #15

Vic Hanson: #8

Rony Seikaly: #4


The time has come for Gerry Mcnamara’s jersey to be added to the list. McNamara ranks among the all-time Syracuse greats in several categories. He is fourth on Syracuse’s all-time scoring list and third on the all-time assist list. He made 400 career three-point shots. The next closest is Andy Rautins with 282. McNamara also has the best career free throw percentage of all time.


McNamara was always fantastic in postseason play and always seemed to have ice in his veins. In the 2003 NCAA championship game, he connected on six three’s in the first half alone. A year later, he scored 43 points in an NCAA Tournament game. Nothing compared to the 2006 Big East Tournament run, though. ‘Cuse was not expected to make the NCAA Tournament and there were even reports that McNamara was overrated (Do not ask Coach Jim Boeheim about that). Boeheim’s response to the report was priceless, but nothing compared to McNamara’s response. He carried Syracuse to 4 straight victories, including three game-winners, to win the Big East Championship.


For McNamara, it was not just about his on-court accolades. It was about what he meant to Syracuse University. No other player received a louder ovation during the announcement of the starting lineups. No other player had their bobblehead featured on Dwight Schrute’s desk in The Office. No other player made fans cry during his last home game. No other player has ever had that type of impact. He is the ultimate representation of what schools should expect from student-athletes.


Maybe McNamara never played in the NBA. Maybe he looked more like a walk-on or a graduate assistant than a starting guard. Maybe his low-budget car commercials were awkward. All I know is he is one of the greatest basketball players ever to call the Carrier Dome home. He is the most beloved Syracuse player of my lifetime. Possibly of all time. He is a champion in the truest sense of the word.


Let’s hope the University agrees with me.