20 Greatest Players to Play for Head Coach Jim Boeheim

Syracuse Basketball: 20 Greatest Players to Play for Head Coach Jim Boeheim

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 14: Head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange reacts in the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 14, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – FEBRUARY 19: Assitant coach Gerry McNamara of the Syracuse Orange runs warm ups for the players against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Louis Brown Athletic Center on February 19, 2012 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images) /

10. Erich Santifer – Syracuse Orange (1980-1983)

Career stats: 14.9 ppg 4.6 rpg 2.0 apg

He started out as a very good scorer in his freshman season and ended up an all-time great by the time Santifer was done. The 6’4 guard had a career-high season average of 17.9 ppg, and finished at the time as the second greatest scorer in school history. Almost 40 years have passed, yet Santifer has only slid down to No. 11 all-time.

9. Billy Owens – Syracuse Orange (1989-1991)

Career stats: 17.9 ppg 8.8 rpg 3.7 apg

He had a great first two seasons, but Owens arguably had the greatest individual season in school history. The 6’8 forward averaged 23.3 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.4 spg and 1.2 bpg in 1991, winning Big East Player of the Year. What hurts his legacy a tiny bit was the historic upset in the NCAA Tournament, losing to the 15 seeded Richmond Spiders in the Round of 64. Owens did his part, scoring 22 points in the defeat.

8. Gerry McNamara – Syracuse Orange (2003-2006)

Career stats: 15.5 ppg 2.5 rpg 4.8 apg

McNamara had an argument himself to be the Most Outstanding Player of the 2003 Final Four, scoring 37 points in the two games. Although he was known for his ability to shoot the three-pointer, the 6’2 guard actually is one of the best passers in school history. He did lead Syracuse in scoring his senior year, but a pair of stars coming up on this list overshadowed McNamara’s career to an extent.

7. Dwayne “Pearl” Washington – Syracuse Orange (1984-1986)

Career stats: 15.7 ppg 2.7 apg 6.7 apg

He was already famous before stepping foot on a Syracuse court, due to his unique style of basketball. It worked out for him in the three years, ranking as an all-time point guard in program history. “Pearl” was an All-Big East playmaker each year and if he played in this era with social media and everything, he’d be the biggest star on TV.

6. John Wallace – Syracuse Orange (1993-1996)

Career stats: 16.7 ppg 8.4 rpg 2.0 apg

A great player who became an all-time great, Wallace averaged 22.2 ppg and 8.7 rpg to lead the 1996 Orange squad to the National Championship game. They fell by nine points, but Owens did all he could do, leading all scorers with 29 points and 10 boards.

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