Menu
Wesley Cheng Home
  • Home
    • Environment
    • Literature
    • Movie Review
    • Philosophy
    • Politics
    • Racism
    • Sports
    • Technology
    • Television
    • Theater
  • About Me
  • Resume
  • Contact
Wesley Cheng Home

2000s Syracuse All Decade Team

Posted on January 3, 2010 by Wesley

This was the decade of Syracuse basketball. The team captured its first National Championship while producing nine NBA players and 12 All Big East players. Here are the best of the decade:

HONORABLE MENTION
Kueth Duany: A veteran presence in a year when Syracuse sorely lacked it, Duany averaged 11 points and 3.7 rebounds his senior year as Syracuse won the National Championship.

DeShaun Williams: There was no questioning Williams’ ability to score as his 15.9 points was good enough to be named to the Big East Third Team. However, Williams’ off-the-court problems and his inability to stay academically eligible led to him transferring to Iona following the 2001-02 season.

THIRD TEAM
GUARD – ANDY RAUTINS: A smooth shooter with underrated passing and defense, the son of Leo Rautins was a key contributor to Syracuse’s Sweet 16 run in the 2008-09 season.

GUARD – JOSH PACE: Pace was Syracuse’s glue guy. Nothing was particularly impressive in terms of statistics, but Pace was a solid defender and rebounder, and his eight points and eight rebounds was key in the National Title game against Kansas.

FORWARD – PAUL HARRIS: Harris came in as a potential one-and-done player, but his weaknesses were glaring – the swingman had an unreliable shot and often made questionable decisions. Still, Harris was a tremendous rebounder and tenacious defender.

FORWARD – DONTE GREENE: At 6-foot-10, Greene oozed potential with his ability to shoot. Questionable shot selection and poor defense and rebounding hurt Greene’s draft status after his one year at Syracuse. Still, he was drafted in the first round of the NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings.

CENTER – CRAIG FORTH: Forth started every single game of his four year career at Syracuse and capably manned the center position. Still, Forth was limited at both ends of the floor often missing easy shots and rebounds.

SECOND TEAM
GUARD – DAMONE BROWN: Although Brown played the majority of his career in the late 90s, he saved his best season for the 2000-01 season. His senior year statistics of 16.4 points and 8.8 rebounds earned him a four year career in the NBA.

GUARD – ERIC DEVENDORF: Devendorf was an outstanding shooter for Syracuse but was a liability on defense and had off the court troubles. Devendorf was also frequently the target of opposing team’s fans because of his trash talking.

FORWARD – PRESTON SHUMPERT: Shumpert left Syracuse as one of the most prolific shooters in Orangemen history. Unfortunately, questions about Shumpert’s attitude and his defensive abilities cost him a shot at the NBA.

FORWARD – DEMETRIS NICHOLS: Nichols transformed himself from an inconsistent player to one of the top shooters in the country by the time he left Syracuse. In his senior season, he would lead the team in scoring at 18.9 points a game. He was drafted in the second round of the 2007 NBA draft, and has played for the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers.

CENTER – DARRYL WATKINS: “Mookie” ended up being one of the top shot blockers in Syracuse history and a solid rebounder. Although undrafted, he ended up playing nine games in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings.

FIRST TEAM
GUARD – JONNY FLYNN: A dynamic guard that could score and pass from all areas of the floor, Flynn will likely be remembered most for his gutsy 34-point 10-assist effort in Syracuse’s 127-117 victory in six overtimes against Connecticut in the 2009 Big East Quarterfinals. Flynn was selected sixth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2009 NBA draft.

GUARD – GERRY MCNAMARA: McNamara left Syracuse as one of its most beloved players and its top 3-point marksmen. McNamara’s accomplishments include six 3-pointers in the 2003 National Championship game and several memorable plays during an incredible run to the 2006 Big East Championship.

FORWARD – CARMELO ANTHONY: Anthony has become the poster child of “one-and-done” in the NCAA. In his lone season at Syracuse, his 22.2 points and 10 rebounds per game catapulted the Orange to the National Championship. Anthony has had a successful career with the Denver Nuggets.

FORWARD – HAKIM WARRICK: Warrick will be most remembered for his iconic block of Michael Lee in the waning moments of the 2003 title game. Warrick’s acrobatic abilities earned him the Big East Player of the Year his senior season. He currently plays for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.

CENTER – ARINZE ONUAKU: With the ability to score from inside with both hands, Onuaku was easily Syracuse’s best scoring center in the decade. In his junior year, he set a school record by hitting 66.7 percent of his field goal attempts, a feat that was offset by his 29.8 percent shooting from the free throw line.

Wesley Cheng is a contributing writer for The Juice and SyracuseFan.com.

  • Basketball
  • Carmelo Anthony
  • Syracuse
  • 1 thought on “2000s Syracuse All Decade Team”

    1. Trevor says:
      January 7, 2010 at 6:57 pm

      Boeheim should be in the running for coach of the year because he convinced Harris to leave. So glad I don't have to watch Harris give away games anymore. I thought he was shaving points at one time because he turned the ball over so much at the end of games.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    • December 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • February 2022
    • November 2021
    • July 2021
    • May 2021
    • November 2020
    • September 2020
    • December 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • April 2019
    • November 2015
    • July 2015
    • September 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • October 2013
    • May 2013
    • July 2012
    • June 2012
    • May 2012
    • April 2012
    • February 2012
    • December 2011
    • November 2011
    • October 2011
    • September 2011
    • February 2011
    • August 2010
    • May 2010
    • March 2010
    • January 2010
    • December 2009
    • November 2009
    • October 2009
    • March 2009
    • January 2009
    • November 2008
    • October 2008
    • August 2008
    • July 2008
    • June 2008
    • April 2008
    • February 2008
    • December 2007
    • November 2007
    • October 2007
    • August 2007
    • July 2007
    • June 2007
    • May 2007
    • April 2007
    • March 2007
    • December 2006
    • November 2006
    • September 2006
    • July 2006
    • June 2006
    • May 2005
    • April 2005
    • March 2005
    • February 2005
    • January 2005
    • December 2004
    • September 2004
    • August 2004
    • May 2004
    • April 2004
    • December 2003
    • November 2003
    • October 2003
    • September 2003
    • August 2003
    • April 2003
    • March 2003
    • February 2003
    • January 2003
    • December 2002
    • November 2002
    • October 2002
    • September 2002
    • July 2002
    • May 2002
    • April 2002
    ©2023 Wesley Cheng Home | Powered by WordPress & Superb Themes