McNamara First Pick In USBL Draft
4/12/2006 9:26:32 AM | Men's Basketball
MILFORD, CT – Syracuse senior guard Gerry McNamara, the school's all-time leader in minutes played, three-point baskets and free throw percentage, was the first pick in the 2006 United States Basketball League (USBL) Draft conducted on April 11.
"’With the first pick in the 2006 USBL Draft, the NEPA [Northeast Pennsylvania] Breakers select, Gerry McNamara, a six-foot two-inch guard from Syracuse University,’" announced Bill Fleming, managing partner of NEPA Sports Group that owns the Breakers organization. A heralded player throughout his high school and collegiate career, McNamara, a Scranton native, becomes the first draft pick for the NEPA Breakers organization.
The USBL is an eight-team league. The 2006 season begins on April 21.
McNamara was the 2005-06 recipient of "The Chip Hilton Award" that is presented to a senior Division I men’s basketball player who demonstrates outstanding character, leadership, and talent. He was a nominee for all the major college basketball player of the year awards: The Naismith Trophy, The Rupp Trophy and The Wooden Award, as well as the Bob Cousy Award, presented to the nation's top point guard. McNamara started all 135 games of his four-year career and guided the Orange into the NCAA Tournament in four consecutive seasons. Syracuse won the NCAA Championship in 2003, his freshman campaign. The Orange also claimed the BIG EAST Tournament title in 2005 and 2006 and McNamara earned the Dave Gavitt Award as the tournament MVP this March.
He completed his SU tenure ranked fourth in career scoring (2,099), second in career steals (258) and third in career assists (648). McNamara earned first-team All-BIG EAST Conference honors as a junior and senior.
The complete draft selections are available online: www.usbl.com/ssp/06draft
Additional information on McNamara's career at Syracuse can be found at: www.suathletics.com/gerry
Jacob Gordon, director of public relations for the USBL, contributed to this story.
