The sides were still finalizing a contract on Thursday that would make McNamara, the Syracuse associate head coach, the 18th head coach in the program’s 86-year history.

A source said McNamara, 40, and Siena were still working out a couple of financial details and had to sign the deal. They’ve been talking for several days and McNamara visited Albany on Sunday.

McNamara has spent the past 15 years on Syracuse’s staff, the first 14 under Hall of Famer Jim Boeheim and this season under first-year head coach Adrian Autry. Before that, McNamara was a beloved guard for the Orange who helped lead them to the 2003 NCAA championship.

Meanwhile, former Siena center Giovanni Emejuru wasn’t in the transfer portal for long. He announced Thursday he committed to George Mason of the Atlantic 10. Emejuru entered the portal March 20, the day Siena fired coach Carmen Maciariello following a 4-28 season.

Emejuru, a 6-foot-11 redshirt sophomore, averaged 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in 32 games this season in his first significant playing time in college. He played sparingly in two seasons at Sam Houston State before transferring to Siena last year.

At George Mason, Emejuru will join a 20-12 team that includes former Siena guard Jared Billups.

On Wednesday, Siena signee Jojo Moore announced he was decommitting from Siena. Moore, from Cedar Park, Texas, signed with the Saints last November.

Moore, a 6-foot-5 guard, texted that he spoke with Siena athletic director John D’Argenio and would be released from his national letter of intent within 48 hours.

“After much prayer, consideration and conversations with my family and mentors, I have decided to re-open my recruitment and de-commit from Siena College,” Moore tweeted. “I would like to thank the Siena staff that recruited me and believed in me so much. I am forever grateful and looking forward to what’s ahead for us all. Again — thank you Siena.”