Syracuse, N.Y. ? Syracuse freshman Carmelo Anthony, who led the Orangemen to their first national championship, will make himself eligible for the NBA draft.

Anthony said Thursday he would forgo his final three years at Syracuse to play in the NBA.

Anthony delayed making the decision until after the season, preferring to focus on winning the national title.

He led the Orangemen in scoring, averaging 22 points, and broke Lawrence Moten’s freshman scoring record for points and Derrick Coleman’s freshman rebounding mark.

Anthony had a career-best 33 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in Syracuse’s victory over Texas in the national semifinals in New Orleans earlier this month. He scored 20 points as Syracuse beat Kansas University in the title game and was named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four — just the third freshman to earn that honor.

“I’m here in front of you today to announce that I will not be coming back next year,” Anthony said at a news conference. “I will be moving on, moving on to the pros.”

Anthony said he reached his decision after talking with his mother and to coach Jim Boeheim.

“It was a tough decision for me to make,” said Anthony, who began crying as he spoke.

The NBA draft is scheduled for June 26. The NBA’s deadline for underclassmen to make themselves eligible for the draft is May 12. Anthony is expected to be a lottery pick. The draft lottery will held May 22.

Carmelo anthony of Syracuse announced Thursday he would enter the NBA draft.