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Syracuse Basketball: Top 50 Players of All-Time (50-46)

By Josh Peelman

Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) reacts during the first half of the second round against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) reacts during the first half of the second round against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Syracuse Basketball
Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /

#50: Jim Boeheim

Guard: 1964-1966

As many of you know, Jim Boeheim played for Syracuse Basketball as a guard before he coached the team. Now, i’m not saying he was like a superstar or anything, but he definitely earned his spot in our Top 50 with his play and determination.

Boeheim was a walk-on early on in his Orange career, according to BleacherReport. As most know, walk-ons hardly ever get a chance to play. Boeheim though worked hard and earned a spot in the starting lineup by the time his junior year came around. By senior year, he had played well enough as a role player to earn a scholarship.

Many may point to the fact that Dave Bing, a Syracuse Legend and Boeheim’s roommate, played a huge part in his development as a player. However, I disagree with that statement. Based on what I’ve heard, Boeheim was a player who hit the gym hard early and often. He put in the work, and played his heart out in order to earn a spot in the rotation. That hard work and determination eventually paid off with a spot on the team as a scholarship player.

His numbers got better as his Syracuse career went on. As a sophomore in 1963, he only averaged 5.2 points a game, according to Orangehoops.org. However, by senior year though in 1965, he averaged 14.6 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game. That’s quite a jump and shows really just how far he came as a player.

Boeheim is the perfect example of how hard work can lead you to your dream. He is a living example of that, and is continuing to live that dream by being Head Coach of Syracuse Basketball. For all these reasons, superstar or not, he deserves to be among the Top 50 best Syracuse Basketball players of All-Time.

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