Gerry McNamara

Infobox NBA Player
name = Gerry McNamara
nickname = G-Mac, The Mayor of Scranton

|thumb|200px
league = Baltic League and Latvian League
position = Guard
height_ft = 6
height_in = 2
weight_lb = 182
team = BK Ventspils
nationality = USA
birth_date = birth date and age|mf=yes|1983|8|28
birth_place = Scranton, Pennsylvania
highschool = Bishop Hannan High School (Scranton)
college = Syracuse University
draft = Not drafted
draft_year = 2006
draft_team =
career_start = 2006
career_end =
former_teams = Olympiacos BC (2006)
Bakersfield Jam (2006–2007)
Panionios BC (2007)
awards = 2007 D-League All-Star

Gerry McNamara (born August 28, 1983) is a former guard for the Syracuse University men's basketball team, from 2002 to 2006. Since leaving Syracuse, McNamara has played in Greece for Panionios BC and Olympiacos BC and also in the NBDL with the Bakersfield Jam.cite web |title=McNamara Pursues Professional Career |first= |last= |date=2008-03-14 |url=http://undraftedfreeagent.blogspot.com/2008/03/where-is-gerry-mcnamara-now.html |work=UFA |accessdate=2008-03-14] cite web |title=McNamara headed back to Greece |first=Mike |last=Waters |date=2007-08-21 |url=http://www.syracuse.com/articles/sports/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/118768696984100.xml&coll=1 |work=The Post-Standard |accessdate=2007-08-23] cite web |title=Market News: Panionios Makes Changes|first=Serafim|last=Karaiskakis |date=2007-11-07 |url=http://www.eurobasket.com/gre/gre.asp |work=eurobasket.com|accessdate=2007-11-07] He most recently played for BK Ventspils, a Latvian team that participates in the ULEB Cup and plays in the Baltic League and the Latvian League.cite web |title=Gerry McNamara signs with pro team in Latvia |first=Mike |last=Waters |date=2008-02-15 |url=http://blog.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2008/02/gerry_mcnamara_signs_with_pro.html |work=The Post-Standard |accessdate=2008-02-16]

Personal life

McNamara is originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania. He is the youngest of four children to Gerard and Joyce McNamara. He has a brother Timothy and two sisters, Bridget and Maureen. He married on July 21, 2007, to Katie Marie Stott.cite web |title=Wedding of Katie Marie Stott |date=2007-06-03 |url=http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18420330&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=450440&rfi=6 |work=The Times-Tribune |accessdate=2007-08-23] He enjoys fishing, almost as much as he enjoys basketball.

High school

McNamara attended Bishop Hannan High School. In his four seasons at Hannan, the Golden Lancers compiled a record of 109-17. McNamara was named the Lackawanna League Division II Player of the Year for four years in a row, was a three-time Associated Press Pennsylvania Small School All-State First Team selection and was the AP's Pennsylvania State Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002. McNamara finished as Pennsylvania's seventh all-time leading scorer with 2917 points.cite web |title=Gerry McNamara Profile |url=http://www.suathletics.com/roster.asp?playerid=1085&sport=176&roster=142 |work=SUAthletics.com |accessdate=2007-08-23]

Bishop Hannan advanced to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class A championship game after defeating Susquehanna Community High School of Susquehanna, Pennsylvania in the semi-finals of his freshman year. The team also went to the finals his sophomore season and finished the state runner-up in both 1999 and 2000 to Kennedy Christian High School of Hermitage, Pennsylvania.cite web |title=Gerry's Summer of 2000 |url=http://gerrymcnamara.tripod.com/gerry.htm |work=GerryMcNamara.com |accessdate=2007-09-01]

After and before, but not during the 1999 and 2000 seasons, Bishop Hannan was named under the AA class of PIAA. After McNamara graduated in 2002, the school, and all the neighboring Bishop schools except Bishop Hoban, went back to A for population reasons. In 2007, when the school combined with Bishop O'Hara of Scranton, Pennsylvania, the new school called Holy Cross, was put in the AA class.

In 2001 the Golden Lancers were defeated by eventual PIAA Class AA champion Trinity High School of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, in the Eastern Final.cite web |title=MEN'S BASKETBALL: Shaun Morris Named Coordinator of Basketball Operations |date=2006-09-22|url=http://www.towsontigers.com/sports/mbball/release.asp?release_id=3103 |work=Towson Tigers |accessdate=2007-09-01]

In 2002 Bishop Hannan and Trinity met once again in the Eastern Final. McNamara exploded for a career-high 55 points (41 in the first half), putting him in 2nd place for the most points scored in a basketball game in PIAA history, as the Golden Lancers advanced to the Class AA championship game, 83-76.cite web |title=Gerry McNamara joins SU basketball team next year |first=Wesley |last=Cheng |date=2006-03-02 |url=http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2006/03/02/GerryMcnamara/Gerry.Mcnamara.Joins.Su.Basketball.Team.Next.Year-1649995.shtml |work=The Daily Orange |accessdate=2007-08-23] Three days later his 32 points led all scorers as Hannan held off Sto-Rox High School and won the Class AA state title, 70-68.cite web |title=PIAA Basketball Championship capsules |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/dailycourier/sports/highschoolcentral/s_124749.html |work=The Tribune-Review |accessdate=2007-09-01]

Following his senior season, McNamara was named the 2002 Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year and a fourth-team Parade Magazine All-American. For his high school accomplishments, McNamara was also named the 20th greatest athlete in Scranton-area history by the "Scranton Times" in 2004.cite web |title=No. 20 Gerry McNamara -- Bishop Hannan basketball |date=2004-12-07 |url=http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13504766&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=416049&rfi=6 |work=The Times-Tribune |accessdate=2007-08-23]

College

McNamara had offers from schools such as Duke and Florida, but chose Syracuse, instead.cite web |title=McNamara no tank, but he is helping drive Syracuse |first=Jeff |last=Zillgitt |date=2003-04-06 |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/tourney03/2003-04-06-zillgitt-mcnamara_x.htm |work=USA Today |accessdate=2007-09-01]

Freshman

McNamara helped capture the school's first ever National Championship in 2003. McNamara started every game his freshman year, helping lead the Orange to a 30-5 record, including a perfect 17-0 at home. He averaged 13 points, 4.6 assists and 2.2 steals a game while shooting 35 percent from 3-point range and 91 percent from the foul line.

McNamara showed early on that he was a clutch performer, nailing a game-winning 3-pointer as then-No. 17 Syracuse notched an 82-80 win over then-No. 10 Notre Dame in February.cite web |title=McNamara’s game-winning 3 lifts SU to win over Notre Dame |first=Darryl |last=Slater |date=2003-02-17 |url=http://www.dailyorange.com/media/paper522/news/2003/02/17/Sports/Mcnamara8217s.GameWinning.3.Lifts.Su.To.Win.Over.Notre.Dame-371327.shtml |work=The Daily Orange |accessdate=2007-09-01] In a March game at Georgetown, McNamara missed a free-throw with 10 seconds left that allowed the Hoyas to force overtime. Until that point, McNamara had been a perfect 41-for-41 in conference play. However, McNamara made up for his miss, hitting two 3-pointers and adding another jumper in an 11-3 run to start overtime as Syracuse beat Mike Sweetney and the Georgetown Hoyas, 93-84. Ten of McNamara's 22 came in the extra frame.cite web |title=Syracuse rookies dominate in OT win at Georgetown |date=2003-03-01 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/news/2003/03/01/georgetown_syracuse_ap/ |work=The Associated Press |accessdate=2007-09-01]

In the NCAA Tournament second-round game against Oklahoma State, McNamara scored 14 points and added six assists as the Orangemen overcame a 13-point first-half deficit. In the semi-final game against T. J. Ford and the University of Texas, the Orangemen won 95-84 behind a career-high 33 points from Carmelo Anthony and 19 points and four steals from McNamara.cite web |title=Syracuse trumps Texas to advance to title game |date=2003-04-06 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2003/04/06/final_four1030405.html |work=CBC Sports |accessdate=2007-09-01]

In the title game versus favored University of Kansas, his six three pointers in the first half helped Syracuse open up an 18-point lead over the Jayhawks. In the second half, Syracuse held off a furious Kansas comeback, eventually winning the game 81-78 behind the stellar play of freshman star Carmelo Anthony and a game-saving blocked shot by sophomore forward Hakim Warrick.cite web |title=McNamara carries Syracuse in first half |date=2003-04-08 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/2003/ncaa_tourney/news/2003/04/07/mcnamara_ap/ |work=The Associated Press |accessdate=2007-09-01] McNamara and Anthony were named to the All-Tournament team.cite web |title=Syracuse’s Anthony in rare company |date=2003-04-07 |url=http://www.rgj.com/news/printstory.php?id=38888 |work=The Associated Press |accessdate=2007-08-23]

Sophomore

Anthony rode his heralded postseason play into the NBA, leaving Warrick and McNamara to guide the team in the 2003-2004 season. McNamara would not disappoint, averaging 17.2 points per game. He was also a Wooden and Naismith award candidate and Second Team All-Big East selection. Warrick and McNamara led the Orange to a 23-8 record and a five seed in the NCAA Tournament. McNamara scored 43 points, including a school-record nine three-point shots, as Syracuse outlasted Brigham Young University 80-75 in the tournament's first round.cite web |title=McNamara's 43, man-to-man defense lead SU past BYU |first=Scott |last=Lieber |date=2004-03-19 |url=http://www.uwire.com/content/topsports031904001.html |work=The Daily Orange |accessdate=2007-08-23]

Syracuse built a 16-point lead over the University of Maryland in the second round; they survived a furious Terrapins comeback in the 72-70 win. In the Sweet 16 McNamara had a game-high 24 points, but Syracuse could not overcome the University of Alabama, 80-71.cite web |title=2003-2004 Syracuse Orangemen |first=Ray |last=Young |url=http://www.orangehoops.org/2003-2004.htm |work=Orangehoops.org |accessdate=2007-08-23] McNamara averaged 26.7 points in the three tournament games.

Junior

In 2005 Syracuse finished 27-7 and captured the Big East post-season tournament title with a win over West Virginia University. McNamara averaged 15.8 points and was named to the First Team All-Big East. The fourth-seeded Orange suffered a shocking overtime upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to the University of Vermont. McNamara struggled through one of the worst games of his college career, scoring just 11 points and missing 14 of his 18 shots.cite web |title=Vermont finds a slipper that fits, tops ’Cuse |date=2005-03-19 |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7235575/ |work=The Associated Press |accessdate=2007-08-23]

Senior

One of only two players left from the championship team, McNamara and Syracuse struggled through the 2005-2006 regular season. Two highlights were the 38 points McNamara scored against Davidson College, the second-most points ever scored by a Syracuse player at the team's home arena, the Carrier Dome, and a 30-point performance against the visiting Louisville Cardinals. Syracuse finished with a losing record in the Big East; the team was in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament unless it secured the conference's automatic bid by winning the Big East's postseason tournament.

Prior to the conference tournament two separate publications, "Sports Illustrated" and the "Syracuse Post-Standard" conducted polls of Big East players and assistant coaches. In each poll, McNamara was voted the Big East's "Most Overrated" player.cite web |title=McNamara's not overrated — just ask Boeheim |first=Kara |last=Yorio |date=2006-03-08 |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=69931&highlight=&sid=ac61e8da8ab06a5c57ad802725ae9372 |work=The Sporting News |accessdate=2007-08-23] cite web |title=Is Gerry Overrated? |first=Ethan |last=Ramsey |date=2006-02-08 |url=http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2006/02/08/Sports/Is.Gerry.Overrated.Ramsey.Weaknesses.There.All.Along-1603530.shtml |work=The Daily Orange |accessdate=2007-08-23] cite web |title=McNamara keeps 'Cuse alive ... and Boeheim explodes |first=Luke |last=Winn |date=2006-03-08 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/luke_winn/03/08/cuse/index.html |work=CNNSI.com |accessdate=2007-08-23]

Fueled by the negative press, and despite an injured leg, McNamara led Syracuse on an unprecedented run to the Big East tournament title. In the first round he hit a running one-handed three-point shot with less than a second left in the game to spur Syracuse past the University of Cincinnati, 74-73. Following the game Jim Boeheim unleashed a passionate defense of his star player to the attending media.cite web |title=McNamara's miracle saves Syracuse |date=2006-03-08 |url=http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/gamecenter/recap/NCAAB_20060308_SYR@CIN |work=CNNSI.com |accessdate=2007-08-23]

The next day McNamara hit a three-pointer in the closing seconds of regulation to tie number-one ranked University of Connecticut and eventually led Syracuse to an overtime upset. McNamara finished with 17 points and 13 assists, one assist shy of the Big East Tournament record.cite web |title=Gerry buries another clutch trey as Orange oust Huskies |date=2006-03-09 |url=http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/gamecenter/recap/NCAAB_20060309_SYR@CT |work=CNNSI.com |accessdate=2007-08-23]

Syracuse fell behind Georgetown University in the tournament's semi-finals, Syracuse's third game in three days. McNamara hit five three-pointers in the second half--including one in the last minute of the game--to slash the Hoyas' lead to one. He dished out an assist to freshman guard Eric Devendorf to put Syracuse in the lead following a Georgetown turnover and forced another turnover in the closing seconds to clinch the game.cite web |title=McNamara magical again as Orange rally to advance to final |date=2006-03-10 |url=http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/gamecenter/recap/NCAAB_20060310_SYR@GTOWN/rss |work=The Associated Press |accessdate=2007-09-01]

McNamara had 14 points and 6 assists in Syracuse's 65-61 championship game win over the University of Pittsburgh. Syracuse became the first team to win four games in four days and capture the Big East Tournament Championship.cite web |title=Syracuse knocks off No. 15 Pitt for Big East title |date=2006-03-12 |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11785432/ |work=The Associated Press |accessdate=2007-09-01]

McNamara won the Dave Gavitt Award as the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. He donned a tee-shirt with the mocking retort, "Overrated?!!" as he helped cut down the nets.cite web |title=A Tirade Sparked Syracuse's Surprise Run to the Title |first=Pete |last=Thamel |date=2006-03-13 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/13/sports/ncaabasketball/13bigeast.html?ei=5088&en=e05a2063f57845cf&ex=1299906000&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1146434625-GP9tbHqz7xTJ6CCV7LN77g |work=The New York Times |accessdate=2007-08-23]

McNamara's career came to an unceremonious end in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament. Severely hobbled by his leg injury and exhausted from the run in the Big East tournament, he scored only two points in just 23 minutes of play as fifth-seeded Syracuse was upset by Texas A&M University. It marked the only game in his career McNamara was held without a field goal. The Orange finished with a 23-12 record.cite web |title=Texas A&M 66, Syracuse 58 |first=Mark |last=Long |date=2006-03-16 |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/college_basketball/20060316-2200-bkc-ncaa-texasa&m-syracuse.html |work=The Associated Press |accessdate=2007-08-23]

College legacy

McNamara started all 135 games he played in his four years and graduated with a degree in Communication and Rhetorical Studies in May 2006. A 2006 Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American, McNamara was named by Big East head coaches to the league's All-Freshman team in 2003, to the All Big East second team in 2004 and to the All Big East first team in 2005 and 2006.

His career statistics rank among the greats in Syracuse's school history. He finished fourth in points scored (2099), first in minutes played (4781), second in steals (258), third in assists (648), first in three-point shots made (400) and attempted (1131), and first in career free-throw percentage (89.1%).

In 63 career Big East games, McNamara set conference records for three-pointers made (183) and career free-throw percentage (91.7%). His 400 career three-pointers ranked sixth all-time in NCAA history.

McNamara was also named the 2006 winner of the Chip Hilton Player of the Year Award. The award is presented annually by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to a senior Division I men's player who demonstrates outstanding character, leadership, and talent.cite web |title=Gerry McNamara aiming for NBA |date=2006-04-13 |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/cbasketball/articles/20060413/729055-p.html |work=The Associated Press |accessdate=2007-09-01]

McNamara left Syracuse as one of the most beloved players in Orange basketball history; his final regular-season game at the Carrier Dome on March 5, 2006, was the arena's first-ever advance sellout for a basketball game. The final attendance of 33,633, an all-time NCAA record for an on-campus regular-season game, included more than 3,000 fans -- dubbed "McNamara's Band" by the media -- from the Scranton area (according to media reports more than 60 buses made the two hour trip from Scranton to Syracuse for the game).cite web |title=Tale of Two Cities |first=Adam |last=Kilgore |date=2006-01-31 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/sioncampus/01/31/gerry.mcnamara/index.html |work=Sports Illustrated |accessdate=2007-09-01] Among those people coming up from Scranton were McNamara's parents, who were in attendance for every game in his college career. Syracuse lost the game to highly-ranked Villanova University, but an emotional McNamara led all scorers with 29 points.cite web |title=One last ride with pride for the G-Mac convoy |first=Chris |last=Kelly |date=2006-03-04 |url=http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16239908&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=422126&rfi=6 |work=The Times-Tribune |accessdate=2007-08-23]

McNamara's popularity continues to this date, as he can currently be seen in local television advertisements in Syracuse, New York, including the ad for Fernandez Automall.cite web |title=Gerry McNamara to appear in Wolcott |first=Mike |last=Waters |date=2007-04-12 |url=http://blog.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2007/04/gerry_mcnamara_to_appear_in_wo.html |work=The Post-Standard |accessdate=2007-09-01]

tatistics

Team USA

McNamara was one of 13 players who accepted invitations to attend the 2005 USA Basketball men’s trials and training camp from July 28-August 4, 2005. The team, coached by Villanova’s Jay Wright, won the gold medal at the World University Games in Izmir, Turkey.

McNamara played in all eight games and started four as the U.S. went a perfect 8-0. In those games, he averaged 8.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and a squad-best 2.6 assists per game. McNamara finished off the tournament with 13 points and five rebounds to help the Americans win the gold-medal game over previously unbeaten Ukraine, 85-70.

Professional career

McNamara was not drafted out of college, but he played summer league ball for the Orlando Magic in 2006. He was not offered an NBA contract. However, the Northeast Pennsylvania Breakers selected McNamara No. 1 overall in the 2006 United States Basketball League draft held on April 11, 2006.cite web |title=Breakers Take G-Mac in 2006 USBL Draft |date=2006-04-11 |url=http://www.usbl.com/currentNews.php?news_id=143 |work=USBL |accessdate=2007-08-23] He was also drafted in the sixth round of the Continental Basketball Association draft by the Albany Patroons on September 26, 2006. The Patroons will hold McNamara's rights until 2008.cite web |title=Former Syracuse standout McNamara released by Greek team |date=2006-11-29 |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/europe/2006-11-29-mcnamara-release_x.htm |work=USA Today |accessdate=2007-08-23]

On September 4, 2006, he signed a one-year contract to play for Olympiacos BC, but only for Euroleague 2006-07 games. After playing just one minute in the team's first five games, McNamara reached a contract settlement and left the team and returned to the United States in November 2006. It is estimated he was paid $90,000 for that one minute.cite web |title=McNamara back in U.S. after sour Greece experience |first=Chris |last=Mannix |date=2007-01-23 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/chris_mannix/01/23/mcnamara/index.html |work=CNNSI.com |accessdate=2007-08-23]

On December 12, 2006, McNamara signed with the Bakersfield Jam, an NBDL team located in Bakersfield, California. McNamara was named as a reserve to the Western Conference's All-Star team and played in the Gillette D-League All-Star Game on February 17, 2007, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He scored 2 points and dished out 5 assists.cite web |title=NBDL All-Star Game Boxscore |date=2007-02-17 |url=http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/20070217/DLEDLW/boxscore.html |work=NBDL |accessdate=2007-08-23] He finished the season with averages of 10.8 points and 5.2 assists in 41 games (33 starts).

On June 29, 2007, McNamara was invited to try out for the Philadelphia 76ers' summer league team. Despite a sprained ankle he made the team and played in both Las Vegas and Utah.cite web |title=G-Mac hoping to make most of opportunity |first=Joby |last=Fawcett |date=2007-07-04 |url=http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18550190&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=416049&rfi=6 |work=Times-Tribune |accessdate=2007-08-23] cite web |title=G-Mac to Philly |first=Mike |last=Waters |date=2007-06-29 |url=http://blog.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2007/06/gmac_to_philly.html |work=The Post-Standard |accessdate=2007-08-23] cite web |title=McNamara's style could boost gate |first=Tom |last=Moore |date=2007-07-05 |url=http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/100-07052007-1373396.html |work=PhillyBurbs.com |accessdate=2007-08-23] cite web |title=Sixers minicamp takes a physical toll on new players |first=Marc |last=Narducci |date=2007-06-29 |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/8328087.html |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |accessdate=2007-08-23]

On August 21, 2007, McNamara signed a $400,000 contract to play for the Greek team Panionios BC for the Greek A1 League 2007-08 season.cite web |title=McNamara Pursues Professional Career |first= |last= |date=2008-03-14 |url=http://undraftedfreeagent.blogspot.com/2008/03/where-is-gerry-mcnamara-now.html |work=UFA |accessdate=2008-03-14] He played his last game for the team on November 6, 2007, and was let go the next day, just four games into the season. McNamara played three of the four games and scored just seven points.cite web |title=G-Mac's second tour of Greece ends as fast as the first |first=Mike |last=Waters |date=2007-11-15 |url=http://www.syracuse.com/articles/sports/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/119512081141570.xml&coll=1 |work=The Post Standard |accessdate=2007-10-10] Ironically he was replaced on the roster by former Michigan State University star Mateen Cleaves with whom he shared minutes on the Bakersfield Jam the prior season.

On February 15, 2008, McNamara signed contract with Latvian basketball team BK Ventspils. After his brief stint in Latvia, McNamara returned to the United States after being invited to participate in the Utah Jazz's training camp on September 17, 2008.cite web |title=Ex-Syracuse star to attend training camp |first=Jody |last=Genessy |date=2008-09-17 |url=http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700259748,00.html |work=Deseret News |accessdate=2008-09-17] The Jazz training camp runs from Sept. 29-Oct. 3 at Taco Bell Arena on the campus of Boise State.

References

External links

* [http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/gerry_mcnamara/index.html National Basketball Association Developmental League]
* [http://www.suathletics.com/gerry/index.aspx Official Syracuse University Athletics Homepage]
* [http://www.ulebcup.com/ulebcup/home/on-court/players/showplayer?gamecode=272&pcode=LFU ULEB Cup Profile]