Carmelo Anthony the player might not be all that different from Carmelo Anthony the owner.

According to everyone from Puerto Rico FC’s technical director to the team’s coach to forward Giuseppe Gentile, Anthony is every bit the professional in the executive suite he is on the basketball court. He demands excellence but understands he is part of the building process of an expansion team.

“He’s been fantastic,” technical director Neil Sillett said Sunday during Puerto Rico FC’s 4-3 loss to the Cosmos. “He’s really engaged and always wants what’s best for the club. Obviously, he has a lot of sensible people around him to keep things going smoothly.”

It’s been two years since Anthony purchased an ownership stake in Puerto Rico FC, on an island close to the NBA All-Star’s heart. Anthony is of Puerto Rican descent, and has played a significant role in the building of basketball courts around the island, along with other charitable endeavors.

However, none of that prepared him for the difficulty of building a winning soccer team from scratch.

“It’s the infrastructure,” Sillett said. “I’ve been with many teams in the UK where they’ve had facilities for a hundred years. It’s a bit different and harder being in Puerto Rico. The economy is one thing, and you’re on an island, so every player has come from somewhere else.”

Puerto Rico FC are winless through seven games with just three points coming via draws, but there is reason for hope.

Down a man against the Cosmos, Puerto Rico FC continued to push the tempo and control the run of play. They dominated from stretches by halting passes from the Cosmos’ back line and moving forward in numbers.

The tiniest bit of growth can foster a winning culture, something to which Anthony can relate.

“It’s definitely unique,” Gentile said. “It’s cool to have an NBA All-Star as the guy who is running the team. Usually other owners are just wealthy people and they have their own way of running their stuff, but he is an athlete and I think he understands the competition part and not only the business part.”

It’s that perspective that has allowed Anthony to foster long-term plans for his soccer team in Puerto Rico. Part of his plans include training academies and top-tier facilities, bringing about better results from his club and increased fan support.

“He’s invested an awful lot of time and money,” Sillett said. “I hope he’s appreciated in what he’s trying to do now. We’ve got long-term plans for academies and such, but we can’t just jump in with everything all in one turn. It must be built. I think that’s his long-term plan, but obviously, he’s up to his neck with things at the moment.”

Even with all Anthony has dealt with lately — the constant speculation whether he’ll be back with the Knicks next season, team president Phil Jackson wanting to jettison him and the public disarray in his personal life — he has remained a hands-on owner.

Anthony is expected to meet with Puerto Rico FC president Thomas Payne on Monday and possibly Tuesday to discuss his team’s recent struggles, bring up solutions and offer advice from his own experience.

“He been very patient so far, let’s be honest,” Puerto Rico FC head coach Adrian Whitbread said. “He’s hands-on by talking regularly to the president. I don’t deal with him too much. I deal with him through the president, and he’s remained very positive.”

Maybe Jackson can learn from Anthony.