Syracuse basketball players get Carmelo Anthony NCAA anniversary shoes

Syracuse, N.Y. -- Frank Howard did not play Tuesday night in the Carrier Dome, when Syracuse officially started its 2018-19 basketball season. But his inactive status allowed him to model a pair of shoes that are all the rage with his teammates.

They're called Air Jordan 9 MOP Melo. And they were created by Jordan brand, a Nike product, to honor signature player Carmelo Anthony and the 15-year anniversary of Syracuse's win over Kansas in the 2003 National Championship game. Anthony was the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

These are the Carmelo Anthony anniversary shoes Frank Howard wore Tuesday night. Nov. 6, 2018. Donna DitotaDonna Ditota | dditota@syracuse.com

Back in April, when the shoe debuted, SU assistant equipment manager Dan Shworles "asked for a shipment for our basketball team." Once the shoes arrived on the Syracuse campus, the SU staff decided to keep them under wraps until some time this fall, when everybody was back on campus.

"We were able to order a special limited edition of the anniversary 15," Shworles said. "When they got shipped, we waited until this week to get 'em to the guys."

Players issued high praise for the shoes, which are primarily white, with gleaming gold trim and Anthony's Syracuse number -- 15 -- displayed on the heel. They retailed for $190 when they were unveiled last spring.

They were a huge surprise. Elijah Hughes, who considers himself "a big sneaker guy," said he was invited into the equipment room by Shworles, who had told the team simply "come in and pick up your shoes."

Hughes, believing they were a "just another pair of basketball shoes," peered at the Jordan brand box and had other thoughts.

"I opened the box and I was like 'Whoa.' It just caught me off guard," he said.

Bourama Sidibe offered a wide smile and an appreciation for the Anthony-inspired shoes. "They're great," he said.

The Jordan brand unveiled the Air Jordan 9 "MOP Melo" which pays tribute to Carmelo Anthony's 2003 National Championship Game. The "MOP Melo" 9sreleasing this April [?] #SwipeLeft to preview the 9s #ZimKicks pic.twitter.com/neh0KLDi0m

-- Zim Kicks (@ZimKicks) April 12, 2018

They were designed, mostly, to be worn like Howard wore his Tuesday night. They are statement shoes.

"If a guy ever wanted to play in them, that's fine. It's a Carmelo shoe," Shworles said. "But it's mostly for them to have and walk around in."

Hughes said he plans to play in them. He'll wear them to practice, see how they feel. For now, though, they are merely the object of his affection.

"They're on my desk just sitting there," he said. "I look at them when I wake up. If I had a glass case, I would put the glass case on them."

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