Carmelo Anthony has pledged $3 million to his old school, Syracuse University, to build a new basketball practice facility.

The Denver Nuggets star announced while sitting next to his former coach Jim Boeheim wearing a Syracuse University baseball cap and an orange T-shirt.

The gymnasium will be named after Anthony Carmelo. Anthony led the Orangemen in 2003 to the national title before joining the NBA. He played one season for his college. Anthony says that this is what he has wanted to do since the city accepted him and treated him like a Syracuse native.

Jim Boeheim and Athletic Director, Dr Daryl Gross, specially flew in for this announcements and Dr Gross informed that the project would soon be underway. Dr Gross also mentioned that the school was extremely proud of Anthony.

The new gymnasium will include two practice courts, men’s lockers, women’s lockers and offices. With this $3 million pledge, Anthony has given one of the largest individual gifts to Syracuse athletics.

Syracuse needed a new place but coach Jim Boeheim was reluctant to approach Carmelo Anthony for his help and assistance. However, his wife Juli approached Anthony who immediately agreed to help out.

During his time with Syracuse, Anthony averaged 22.2 points and 10 rebounds while leading Syracuse to a 30 to 5 record. He was instrumental in leading them to victory over Kansas in the championship game.

Boeheim had the opportunity to work with Carmelo Anthony again. He was the US team’s assistant coach last summer for the world championships in Japan where the US team won the bronze.