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

By Tristan Freeman

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)
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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SYRACUSE, NY – FEBRUARY 23: Former Syracuse Orange player Carmelo Anthony (C) speaks on stage next to athletic director Daryl Gross, son Kiyan Carmelo Anthony and wife Alani Vasquez along with members of the 2003 national champions team in a presenation retiring his jersey, #15 during half time in the game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2013 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Nate Shron/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY – FEBRUARY 23: Former Syracuse Orange player Carmelo Anthony (C) speaks on stage next to athletic director Daryl Gross, son Kiyan Carmelo Anthony and wife Alani Vasquez along with members of the 2003 national champions team in a presenation retiring his jersey, #15 during half time in the game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2013 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Nate Shron/Getty Images) /

5. Hakim Warrick – Syracuse Orange (2002-2005)

Career stats: 15.4 ppg 7.6 rpg 1.5 apg

The second-leading scorer and top rebounder on the 2003 title team, Warrick had to wait a bit before he got the spotlight. Once he did, the 6’9 forward was one of, if not the best big men in the country. Warrick averaged 21.4 ppg and 8.6 rpg his senior season, winning Big East Player of the Year. He’s currently the fifth highest scorer in school history.

4. Carmelo Anthony – Syracuse Orange (2003)

Career stats: 22.2 ppg 10.0 rpg 2.2 apg

There are many “one and done” players in college basketball. Few can say that they accomplished what Anthony did in just one season, carrying the Orange and Boeheim to their only national title in 2003. He was an All-American throughout the regular season, but he became a can’t miss prospect in the NCAA Tournament.

Anthony broke an NCAA freshman record in the Final Four with 33 points to beat Texas, before dropping another 20 to defeat Texas for the title. Boeheim doesn’t get too many players who leave after one did, but the most impactful turned out to be one. His postseason efforts could’ve made him No. 1, but the career record holders in front him were just too good to drop down.

3. Lawrence Moten – Syracuse Orange (1992-1995)

Career stats: 19.3 ppg 4.9 rpg 2.5 apg

With 2,334 total points, Moten is the all-time scorer in Syracuse Basketball history, as well as the best scorer in Big East history as well. In four seasons, the 6’5 guard never scored lower than 17.9 ppg in a season, while still shooting the ball with a good efficiency.

2. Derrick Coleman – Syracuse Orange (1987-1990)

Career stats: 15.0 ppg 10.7 rpg 2.3 apg

There might be maybe a handful of big men in the modern-day era who had a better career than Coleman, who is second all-time in scoring, as well as nearly 500 boards ahead of the next best rebounder in school history. He had three seasons where he averaged a double-double, and was pretty much unstoppable in the Big East, where he won Player of the Year in 1990.

1. Sherman Douglas – Syracuse Orange (1986-1989)

Career stats: 14.9 ppg 2.2 rpg 7.0 apg

There are only six players in program history that have accumulated over 2,000 points, with Douglas being one of them. That alone would give him a high spot on the list, until his assist numbers get brought up.

Next: Top 15 Players for Notre Dame's Mike Brey

He averaged 8.2 apg in his final three seasons combined, putting him No. 1 in not only school history at 960, it’s also the best in NCAA history. With Douglas having 251 more career assists than the next best Syracuse passer, it’s a record likely to never be broken.

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