Top 5 Syracuse men's basketball players since 2000 to present ft. Carmelo Anthony

Syracuse Orange men's basketball, one of the most esteemed college programs, has won one NCAA championship. Jim Boeheim, who led the Orange for over four decades, has recruited and guided some phenomenal talents.

Since the dawn of the century, Syracuse has been home to several All-American caliber players. Carmelo Anthony is among the most distinguished players in the program's history. Below is the list of the best Syracuse players of this century.

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5 best Syracuse men's basketball players since 2000

#1. Carmelo Anthony (2002-03)

• 1x NCAA champion
• NBA scoring champion
• No. 15 jersey retired

Carmelo Anthony changed the landscape of Syracuse men's basketball after guiding them to their first NCAA championship title. In just one season with the Orange, Anthony put together one of the greatest individual seasons in college basketball history.

He averaged 22.2 points and 10.0 rebounds, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, field goals and free throws. Anthony won the NCAA Freshman of the Year and his No. 15 jersey number was retired by the program.

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#2. Hakim Warrick (2001-05)

• 1x NCAA champion
• Big East Player of the Year
• No. 1 jersey retired

Hakim Warrick, another top player to wear the Syracuse uniform, earned several accolades during his time with the Orange, including the 2003 Big East Player of the Year, Big East tournament MVP and First-team All-American.

The 6-foot-9 forward was fourth in points (2,073) and rebounds (1,025) in the program's history.

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#3. Gerry McNamara (2002-06)

• 1x NCAA champion
• 2x First-team All-Big East
• No. 3 jersey retired

Gerry McNamara's best season with the Orange came in his final season, when he averaged 16.0 points, 5.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds. His jersey was retired in March 2023. McNamara ranks fourth in the program's top scorers with 2,099 career points.

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#4. Andy Rautins (2005-10)

Andy Rautins, the son of former NBA star Leo Rautins, joined the Syracuse men's basketball in 2005 and stayed there till 2010. His final college season was memorable, with him averaging 12.1 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.4 rebounds. Rautins was selected to the All-Big East Second Team that season.

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#5. Jonny Flynn (2007-09)

• Big East tournament MVP

The former Houston Rockets star Jonny Flynn was a key player for Jim Boeheim's Syracuse men's basketball team in late 2010s. His 11 points and seven assists helped the Orange defeat Arizona State to advance to Sweet Sixteen in 2009, their first in five years at the time.

Flynn was named the 2009 Big East tournament MVP and the prior season he also won Big East Rookie of the Year.