Syracuse Basketball: Top 30 Players in School History

It was a tough call, but Billy Owens slipped one spot outside the Top 10 in our rankings. Billy Owens was an athletic rebounder and scorer and one of the best power forwards Syracuse has ever had.

He sits 12th on Syracuse basketball’s All-time scoring list, 15th in assists, and 9th in rebounding, according to Orangehoops.org. That’s impressive considering he only played three seasons in Orange. It just goes to show how big an impact he made every year he played for the Orangemen.

His first two years he and Derrick Coleman were counted on to man the paint and rebound for the Orange. However, by his junior year, he was the star of the Syracuse offense and defense.

As a freshman, Owens averaged 13 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 0.9 blocks a game, according to Sports-reference.com. That season the team would make it all the way to the Elite Eight.

During his sophomore year, he developed a better outside game as well as a decent low-post game. His averages would benefit as a result. He would average 18.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.2 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 4.6 assists. The team would go 26-7 on the season as well as be named the Big East Regular Season champions. The Orange would go deep in the NCAA tournament once again making it to the Sweet 16.

In his junior season, Owens’s last season at Syracuse, he would be the focal point on both ends of the court. He averaged 23.3 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. That’s one of the best college stat lines you’ll ever see. He would be named to the All-Big East First team as well as an All-American that season.

Despite an amazing season, Owens and the Orange were stunned as a 2-seed by the 15-seeded Richmond Spiders in the NCAA Tournament 1st round. It was one of the biggest upsets ever in NCAA tournament history. It was also the first time a 15 seed had ever beaten a 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Despite the disappointment, Owens opted not to come back to Syracuse to set multiple SU records. He was rewarded after his amazing season though with the 3rd overall pick in 1991 NBA Draft to the Sacramento Kings. Syracuse retired his #30 uniform, making him one of the select few in Syracuse Basketball history to receive the honor.

Owens will go down as one of the most gifted players in Syracuse history. He could rebound, score inside, pass to teammates, block shots, and steal. To add to all that, he was a talented shooter, a terrific on-ball defender, and stood only 6’8. There aren’t many who can play like Billy Owens, and there are even fewer who will have a three-year career quite like his.