Syracuse Basketball: Top 10 three-point shooters in history

5. Eric Devendorf

Eric Devendorf was hated, despised, called overrated, you name it. But Syracuse basketball fans didn’t care, still don’t, and he sure didn’t give a darn.

You really can’t even write a summary of Syracuse basketball without mentioning Devendorf. Just as a player alone, he means the world to Orange hoops.

As a three-point shooter, he combined for one of the most deadly duos in ‘Cuse lore, playing with Andy Rautins for three seasons (both entered the program in 2005 but an injury cost Rautins an entire season). Devendorf also was injured for the majority of that 2007-08 campaign.

Despite only playing in ten games that season, Eric still sits in sixth all-time in three-point makes in SU’s record book. Devendorf’s tough style of playing and ability to score at the bucket and from the mid-range opened up many chances for three-point attempts.

Devendorf’s most famous shot literally didn’t even count, but we don’t care. In the 2009 Big East Tournament quarterfinals, Devendorf hit a three from the wing that would have sent Syracuse to the semifinals over Connecticut. Upon review, it was called back and set up the 6 overtime thriller that ultimately did end up in the favor of the Orange.

But let’s not act like he didn’t have a knack for hitting clutch shots and a lot of them. Devendorf shot 37.6% from downtown as a freshman, hit 208 triples for his career, and always had a word to say about it.

Devendorf’s name often comes up in discussions of the most hated players in college hoops history, and if you don’t believe me, he graced the cover of this article that came out just two years ago.

Like him or not, you can’t deny his talent to play the game of basketball, and hitting shots from deep was one of Devendorf’s best traits on the court.