Inside the Loud House
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Syracuse Basketball: Top 50 Players in School History (45-41)

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

Mar 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Malachi Richardson (23) reacts to scoring during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers in the championship game of the midwest regional of the NCAA Tournament at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Malachi Richardson (23) reacts to scoring during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers in the championship game of the midwest regional of the NCAA Tournament at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rick Jackson #45:

Power Forward/Center: 2007-2011

You don’t see many players who stick around throughout the whole process anymore, which makes you appreciate the players that do (and did). Like a fine wine, Rick Jackson got better with age.

His freshman year, Jackson was nothing more than an afterthought contributing to the efforts sparingly; although he appeared in every one of SU’s 35 games. In just a years time though, he was elevated to the starting lineup and you could see the development: especially on the defensive end.

While SU has churned out a record number of first round talent from their ranks, they’ve also done a phenomenal job of getting out NBA talent, regardless of which channel. Jackson increased not only his own stock, but his name recognition in his final season with the Orange.

Jackson, in his final season in Orange, was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. In case you didn’t know, that award has only been bestowed on an Orange player four times in history (Etan Thomas won it twice in the late 1990’s-early 2000’s) plus Rick Jackson and Fab Melo received the honor in back-to-back years.

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