Syracuse Class of 2008 verbal commitment Donte Green received weekly recruiting calls this summer, but they weren’t from Syracuse or any other Division I coaching staff.

The man on the other end of the line pushing for Green to commit to SU knew exactly what Green was going through and he was as qualified as anyone to tell the Towson Catholic High School (Md.) junior that SU was the place for him. Winning a national championship as a college freshman gives you that status.

Former Towson Catholic and Syracuse standout Carmelo Anthony wanted Green in Orange and he did everything in his power to ensure Green committed to Syracuse, including giving Green permission to wear his No. 15 at SU. Between Anthony’s sweet-talking and the Syracuse coaching staff’s persistence, Green had no choice but to verbally commit to the Orange.

Green made his decision Oct. 5, but didn’t announce it until a press conference Oct. 11.

‘Syracuse is one of the greatest college campuses in America,’ Green said. ‘It’s a real good fit for me. (The Syracuse coaches) keep it real with you. (SU assistant coach Rob Murphy) is real persistent. He’s always persistent.’

But Anthony’s influence is undeniable.

Not only does Green hail from Anthony’s hometown of Baltimore, he attended the same high school Anthony did and also plays on Team Melo, an Anthony-sponsored AAU team. And coincidentally, both Anthony and Green stand 6 feet, 8 inches tall.

Anthony told Green about the experience of playing in the Carrier Dome and reassured him Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim is ‘real cool.’

‘I haven’t really seen the atmosphere,’ Green said. ‘I know you guys have crazy fans up there. I’m just happy to be an Orangeman. I think I’m ready.’

Although only a junior, Green has shown he is ready to play at the collegiate level.

Josh Pratt, Towson Catholic’s first-year head coach, said despite having a strong team, Green will be the best player with the most potential. Similar to Anthony, who now plays for the Denver Nuggets, Green prefers to play facing the basket and has a developing mid-range and perimeter shot.

Green is unsure if he’ll take Anthony up on his offer to wear No. 15. Green wears No. 20 now in honor of his mother who died in 2001.

Pratt said Green definitely follows Anthony’s lead, but his personality more resembles Connecticut sophomore Rudy Gay. Pratt coached Gay at Archbishop Spalding High in Baltimore.

Like Gay, Green remains grounded despite tremendous success in basketball. Through all the hype and talk, Green hasn’t changed.

‘He’s willing to learn,’ Pratt said. ‘He’s open to do things to get better. He’s got a great attitude. He’s got great character and a lot of focus.

‘He’s very positive and a good motivator. He makes the people around him play better. People like playing with him. There’s never been a time he’s been in the gym and not wanted to be there. He’s just a happy kid.’

Fighting for position

Freshman guard Eric Devendorf should have been under a lot of pressure entering his first year at Syracuse.

SU head coach Jim Boeheim fawns over him. Experts, including SU assistant coach Mike Hopkins, compare him to senior Gerry McNamara. He signed with the Orange as a McDonald’s All-American coming out of Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., the school where Anthony played his senior year.

While Orange fans eagerly await Devendorf’s debut, he has been working hard on staying focused on his role with Syracuse.

‘I’m just trying to come in and produce right away – that’s what they recruited me for,’ Devendorf said. ‘I don’t really have any pressure on me, I’m just going to go in there and do what I’ve been doing.’

Devendorf said he will play shooting guard and still is in consideration for the starting lineup. Juniors Demetris Nichols and Louie McCroskey and sophomore Josh Wright will also see significant playing time in the backcourt.

Hopkins compared Devendorf to McNamara because of their similar personalities and abilities. Both are hard-nosed guards who can take contact but enjoy hitting the big shot from the outside.

Devendorf has also imitated McNamara’s work habits, spending most of his free time practicing at Manley Field House.

‘The kid’s a Gerry,’ Hopkins said. ‘He’s a tough guy. He’s a gym rat.’

The freshman even confided in McNamara for some advice about dealing with the potential pressure of being a heralded recruit. McNamara told Devendorf not to let the hype bother him and just worry about taking care of the things he could control, like playing the best basketball he possibly could.

Boeheim still hasn’t made up his mind about his starting lineup and will use the weeks leading up to Syracuse’s first scrimmage against Saint Rose on Nov. 1 to decide who will join McNamara in the backcourt.

‘(Devendorf) was an outstanding high school player and we’ll see in the next few weeks in practice how he fits in and what he can do,’ Boeheim said. ‘We’ll see how he does once we get to competition. He has a lot to learn like most freshmen, so we’ll give him some time and see how he develops.’

Top of the class

All four of Syracuse’s Class of 2008 commitments attended practice on Saturday, and even found time for a little one-on-one.

Green, Niagara Falls’ Johnny Flynn and Neumann-Goretti’s Rick Jackson and Antonio ‘Scoop’ Jardine watched the Orange practice at Manley Field House and, after all the players left, took to the court for a workout.

The four also exchanged phone numbers and plan to keep in touch, Green said.

‘When we come in there, we’re looking to be one of the best classes in Syracuse history,’ Green said. ‘I feel confident. We’re going to be alright. We’re looking good.’

Published on October 18, 2005 at 12:00 pm