Syracuse Basketball has been on the map for decades. The original “beasts of the East”, since Boeheim became head coach in 1976 he has never had a losing record. This attributes to his recruitment, training, and ability to coach and win against other basketball powerhouses. Today, some of the major players from Boeheim’s squad over the last 15 years have continued their careers to the NBA. So who are the current NBA players and where are they now?
Let’s take it back to the 2003 National Championship. The star was no other than the Carmelo Anthony. The New York boy is currently in his city of origin playing in the NBA. During his eigth year in the league, Anthony who had become a franchise player, was traded from the Denver Nuggets to New York Knicks, returning to the colors Orange and Blue and his home. Entering his 13th season in the league, he has career averages of 25.2 points, 3.1 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game. One of Boeheim’s finest ever, Anthony hasembarked on a successful professional career; three-time Olympic medalist, seven-time NBA All-Star, and in 2013 was the NBA’s scoring champion. As his career is coming to a close, Anthony is shifting his focus from being a basketball player to a business man investing in a series of start-up companies.
The next player is Wesley Johnson, who entered the league in 2010. Johnson was round one pick four by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Johnson then spent two years there, one year in Phoenix, two with the Lakers, and has recently signed with cross-city rival, the Los Angeles Clippers. Johnson’s current contract is for one year. Johnson, now 28 years old, has played in 349 games, averaging 8.51 points, 3.46 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
In 2012 Dion Waiters was another member of the Orange to go round one pick four during the NBA Draft. In his debut season he made the NBA All-Rookie team. Waiters spent two full years with Cleveland, and in the middle of the season got traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has played a total of 211 games, averaging 14 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game. With the Thunder Waiters is currently under a four-year $16.8 million contract.
Apr 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) shoots over Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy (34) during the third quarter in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Carter-Williams was part of the 2013 team that went to the Final Four. Carter-Williams was drafted in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia Sixers. Not only was he selected as a First Team All-Rookie, but he was the 2014 NBA Rookie of the year. Since then, Carter-Williams was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2014-15 season. To date, he has played in 136 games averaging above 15 points per game, 6.5 assists, and 4.6 rebounds.
After the 2013-14 season there were two players to declare early for the NBA Draft. The first of these two is Tyler Ennis, who like Anthony was one-and-done. Ennis was first round, 18th overall to the Phoenix Suns. After appearing in only eight games for the Suns, Ennis was traded to Milwaukee alongside fellow ‘Cuse player MCW. Ennis played 25 games and in his first season averaged over three points per game and a little over two assists. Ennis is still young and has a lot of time to develop as a conditioned player in the NBA.
Following Ennis to the draft was teammate Jerami Grant. Grant was selected 39th overall and started out playing with former teammate MCW in Philadelphia. After MCW was traded though, Grant has still been a prominent member of the Sixers. Appearing in 65 games he averaged 6.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. Grant, similar to Ennis was another player who maybe declared for the draft to early and could have used a little more time to develop playing NCAA ball.