Carmelo, why not return?

By Marco Santana Sports Central Columnist

When the average person goes through high school, it is usually assumed that he is going to enter the working man's world or go to the college of his choice. Not once is it asked whether he wants to go earn millions of dollars every year to play games. That is for the average person. Syracuse's Carmelo Anthony is not your average person.

After a terrific basketball season in 2001-2002 at Oak Hill Academy, Anthony could not stop the swarm of awards from coming. He was named to the USA Basketball Junior National Team in the summer. He was a 2002 McDonald's All-American. He was the winner of the Slam Dunk Competition that was held before the McDonald's All-American Game. He was a 2002 USA Today First-Team All-American and a 2002 Parade First-Team All-American. It was almost a foregone conclusion that Anthony would forego his college days and head straight to the big money that is the NBA. And nobody would have blamed him.

But to the surprise of most "experts" and the joy of Syracuse basketball fans and, in particular, coach Jim Boeheim, Anthony went ahead and stuck with his commitment to attend Syracuse University. His arrival on campus almost went unnoticed. Anthony tried to blend in, but the roll call that is a normal occurrence at campuses across the country betrayed his presence as heads wheeled his way when they heard the big man respond, "Here."

Even in being one of the new big men on campus, Anthony was a bit reserved. "It's a little weird," said Anthony in the first month of attending 'Cuse, "seeing people my own age look up to me. It's definitely weird."

The talk has begun once again as to whether Anthony will return to college for a sophomore season. I, for one, will say what Carmelo has said before: why not?

The NBA's and its millions of dollars are beckoning Anthony to take off early and join the parade of young hoops stars leaving the college game. That practice has also trickled to the high school ranks as more and more high school players have taken off, culminating in this season's LeBron James circus.

However, when you look at the benefits that Anthony has already experienced, as well as the benefits he could gain by staying another year, the possibility of him staying at Syracuse is definitely there.

The likes of Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and beginning next season, the aforementioned James, did not or will not have the chance to experience what Anthony has experienced this season. Although your first thought may be, "I guess a national championship would be cool to experience," that is not what I am talking about. Anthony has been given a chance to do what so many others have done and that is to be a kid. The man named the Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four is still a month and a half away from his 19th birthday.

It is true that he has not been able to drive around in a Hummer or be spotted in "complimentary" replica jerseys. But being the big man on campus is something he is not used to and thoroughly enjoys.

One of the big draws that leads a player into the NBA early is the promise of a big paycheck. I'm hoping more high school players look at what Anthony did and think twice about trying to make the jump. He decided to go to school for at least one season, possibly more. That decision made him quite a bit of money. After high school, Anthony was looked at as a possible mid-first round pick. After this season, he is now firmly entrenched in the top-four, which will lead to more money.

But that is not the only reason for the Syracuse forward to stay. This season, the No. 1 pick will be James. Anthony may want to stay in another year and fix his place as the top pick next season.

Nobody is certain what Anthony will do. But before the Final Four, Anthony may have accidentally tipped his hand. "This is my first Final Four," he said. "I hope it's not my last." Naturally, Boheim adamantly agreed with that assessment.

The reaction after the Orangemen won the championship this past Monday may have been just as revealing. "I've never had a feeling like this," Anthony said. "This is the best feeling I've ever had in my life."

It is a feeling some of the best players in the NBA will never get to experience.

When he talked to ESPN's Andy Katz after the game on Monday, he was asked whether he would come back to Syracuse. It seemed as if he was so used to giving the company line that he accidentally said it when it was not appropriate. "I'm going to wait until the season is over," he responded. When reminded that the season was over, he was shocked back to reality and quickly amended that to the end of the school year.

The future of Syracuse basketball and college basketball in general will be determined in the coming months. Anthony is not the only player who has yet to determine whether he will come back for another season or not. I think Monday showed, however, that he may be the most important one.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.