July 4, 2007
G-Mac hoping to make most of opportunity
BY JOBY FAWCETT
STAFF WRITER
It’s all about an opportunity.
Gerry McNamara, a basketball player, whose unbridled passion and competitive spirit left legions of fans from Scranton breathless, is seizing the chance to play for a National Basketball Association team.
A year removed from a remarkable career at Syracuse University, McNamara is fighting through physical screens, launching 3-pointers and doing whatever it takes to catch the attention of Philadelphia 76ers coach Maurice Cheeks. A free-agent signee, the 23-year-old is getting ready for the NBA Summer League with the Sixers.
“I’m hoping to play well here and hoping to take the next step that leads to the NBA,” McNamara said after Day 2 of two-a-day workouts at the Activities Center at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
“You never know what opportunity will be the big one.”
After an All-Big East career, capped by a most valuable player performance in the Big East tournament, McNamara went undrafted, hampered somewhat by a slightly injured groin. Undaunted, he played for the Orlando Magic last summer, then for a short time in Greece before playing 41 games with Bakersfield in the NBA Developmental League.
When the call came from the Sixers, a healthy McNamara is going after this chance to flash some more magic.
“I feel great,” McNamara said. “My weight is probably 7-8 pounds lighter. I’ve been working extremely hard the last month and a half. Obviously I’m sore, but here is a big difference between being sore and being injured.
“I like being sore.”
Willing to crash into walls going after loose balls, McNamara realizes he has to maximize this chance to impress scouts in the NBA.
It’s a long shot, but not an impossible goal.
On the Sixers’ Web site, there are several examples of success stories from the NBA Summer League. They include the San Antonio Spurs’ Bruce Bowen, who went undrafted out of Cal State-Fullerton in 1993. Raja Bell of the Phoenix Suns, the Chicago Bulls’ Ben Wallace a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and the Sacramento Kings’ Brad Miller.
“I just want to play well and play the way I know I’m capable of,” McNamara said. “There are not a lot of people in my shoes. There are a lot of talented players who never get an opportunity. Stranger things have happened. People have come into the summer league and played well and made teams. If I can play well, who knows?
“I’m going to play hard. You know that every time I step onto the floor.”
So far, things have gone well.
A 3-pointer during Monday’s workout saved the 15-player team sprints. It was redemption for a shot he missed a day earlier.
“It’s been really good,” McNamara said. “I’m playing really well. I’m in better shape than I ever have been in my life.
“I want to play in the NBA even if it’s for one year. I’d love to have a 10-year NBA career, but to play at this level is difficult. Getting to the NBA has always been the goal.”
The Sixers have a workout scheduled this morning and Thursday morning before heading out to Las Vegas for their first of five games. On Friday, they’ll play the world champion San Antonio Spurs at 4 p.m.
Next week, the Sixers move on to the Rocky Mountain Revue for six games, wrapping up the league on July 20 — one day before his wedding to Katie Stott.
It will be quite a challenging couple of weeks for the former Bishop Hannan High School star. One he’s up for.
“Everything is about opportunity,” McNamara said. “It’s hectic getting 15 guys together to play as a team in only a couple of days. But, I’ve got a chance here and I’m going to take advantage of it.”