Next up in our series where we are selecting the All-21st-century teams for every single Syracuse Orange sports team is Men’s Basketball. Over the past quarter century of ‘Cuse hoops, we have seen high highs like 2003, as well as some lower lows like whatever last season was. However, we have selected three teams of five players that we think are some of the best to play for the orange over this time frame.
All 21st-century first team:
PG: Jonny Flynn (2007-09)
Even though he was only here for two seasons, Flynn was one of the
best point guards to ever wear orange. In his freshman season, he was Big East co rookie of the year, as well as being an honorable mention on the all Big East team. He was also named a third-team freshman all-American by Rivals. He also had the second most assists and fourth most points for a freshman in Syracuse history. In his sophomore year, he got even better. He was named to the all-Big East second team, as well as being named as an all-American honorable mention by AP and a third team all-american by collegehoops.net. He also set new Syracuse records this season for minutes played, games played, and games started in a season.
SG: Gerry McNamara (2002-06)
No surprises here. Outside of Melo, McNamara is up there for being the biggest contributor on the 2003 national championship team. As a freshman, he was named to the all-final four team, scoring 19 against Texas and 18 against Kansas. His six threes in that championship game was also a new Syracuse record for a NCAA tournament game, which he would break again a few years later, setting an NCAA record in the process, which stands to this day. Outside of the championship season, McNamara would also make an all Big East first and second team, as well as the freshman team he made in his first year. By the end of his career, he would be the Syracuse all time leader in three pointers, as well as minutes and games played.
SF: Carmelo Anthony (2002-03)
The now-NBA Hall of Famer was the easiest choice on the board. Considered one of, if not the best, one-and-done college basketball players ever, ‘Melo served as the best player for Syracuse’s NCAA Championship season. It was only one year in Orange, but it proved to be the most impactful of anyone who has played in the 21st century.
PF: Hakim Warrick (2001-05)
Warrick cracks the first-team, and not just because he had the championship-clinching block in 2003. By the time his Syracuse tenure ended, he finished top-five in career scoring and rebounding. Known for his freakish athleticism and constant dunking (297 in 135 games), Warrick was a steady two-way force and finished as Big East Player of the Year in 2005 along with two All-Big East nods and one consensus All-American first-team bid.
C: Arinze Onuaku (2005-10)
Another four-year player, Onuaku was a force around the basket on both ends of the court. He played center for one of Syracuse’s most successful teams of the decade: the 2009-10 squad. That year, Onuaku set a single-season record in field goal percentage. He also finished first in program history in that category and 11th in blocks.
All 21st-century second team:
PG: Tyler Ennis (2013-14)
Although Ennis was only here for one year, he certainly made his mark on Syracuse basketball. In his singular season, he made the all-American second team by USA Today, and the all american fourth team by College Sports Madness. He also made the all-ACC second team, and all-ACC freshman team. This season led to him getting drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the 18th pick of the 2014 NBA Draft. Ennis’s incredible season showcased just how good of a player he was, and why he deserves to be on this list.
SG: Tyus Battle (2016-19)
Battle was one of the most prolific shooting guards in Syracuse history, and was a consistent starter for the Orange, starting his whole sophomore and junior season, and most of his freshman campaign. His most successful season with the Orange was his sophomore one, where he averaged 19 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists. His 712 total points this season also ranks 8th all time for a Syracuse player in a season. This season, alongside overall good play over his whole career makes him a good fit for this list.
SF: C.J. Fair (2010-14)
The four-year wing started off mainly as a bench spark plug, but then, Fair took a major leap over his last two seasons. He peaked in 2013-14, when he was named a consensus All-American second-team selection and made first-team All-ACC in Syracuse’s first year with the conference. Fair was also a key figure for Syracuse teams that won between 27 and 34 games during his tenure.
PF: Wesley Johnson (2009-10)
Yes, it was only for one year and coming after he transferred from Iowa State, but it’s hard to argue with a one-year stint that went as well as Johnson’s. He became an instant starter, finishing 2010 as the Big East Player of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American. It was a short, but impactful peak.
C: Rakeem Christmas (2011-15)
Despite playing all four years with Syracuse, Christmas didn’t peak statistically until his final season. That’s when he tripled his scoring from the previous year to over 17 points per game while grabbing nine rebounds and blocking 2.5 shots per game. That 2015 season saw him make First-team All-ACC, win the ACC’s Most Improved Player award and clinch a spot on the All-American third-team. When all was said and done, Christmas played 142 games and started 140 of them. One of the tougher calls on the board was having him on the second-team over Onuaku.
All 21st-century third team:
PG: Michael Carter-Williams (2011-13)
In MCW’s two years here in Syracuse, he made a huge impact on the Orange that made him a good fit for this list. While he didn’t do too much in his freshman year with the Orange, his sophomore campaign made him a standout, as he averaged 12 points, seven assists, and five rebounds during this season. This season would lead to him being picked 11th overall in the 2013 NBA draft, and he would go on to win rookie of the year as well. This solid season from him makes him a good fit as the point guard on the third team.
SG: Eric Devendorf (2005-09)
Devendorf, over his many seasons for the Orange, had a huge impact on the program and an extremely impressive resume. As a freshman, he was named to the Big East all rookie team, averaging 12 points, two assists, and two rebounds. In his sophomore season, he would build on this, being an all-Big East honorable mention as his numbers took a jump as well. His junior year seemed to be his best campaign yet, however injuries took him out for most of the season, and he only played one more year for Syracuse after that, although he did put up great numbers. Devendorf’s impressive longevity makes him a great fit for this team.
SF: Elijah Hughes (2018-20)
Like Johnson, Hughes had a shorter tenure (just two years) after transferring from East Carolina, but the wing brought in instant production the second he stepped onto the Dome court. He peaked in 2020 with a first-team All-ACC selection, when he led the conference in points per game, field goal attempts and minutes. He is also the last Syracuse player to be selected in the NBA Draft.
PF: Rick Jackson (2007-11)
A forgotten piece on some loaded Orange squads from the late-2000s, Jackson started over two-thirds of the 143 games he played and churned out a 2011 campaign where he won Big East Defensive Player of the Year and averaged over 13 points, 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. The four-year player did just enough to earn a spot on the All-21st century team.
C: Darryl Watkins (2003-07)
Another close call here with the final spot in this exercise, but as this sentence was typed, Watkins blocked two more shots. The four-year center was a full-time starter in his last two seasons, when he averaged a combined 3.1 blocks per game during that stretch (peaking at 3.4 BPG in 2006-07). That is ridiculous, no matter the era. Watkins in that year recorded the most blocks by a Syracuse senior and the fourth-most in a single year ever.
Apologies to this huge list of honorable mentions who missed the cut: Demetris Nichols, Andy Rautins, Kris Joseph, Fab Melo, Dion Waiters, Jerami Grant, Jesse Edwards, Malachi Richardson, Tyler Lydon, Michael Gbinije and Buddy Boeheim
So that’s our list. Now it’s up to you. Who do you think we left out? Are there any players you think are too high? What would your all 21st century team be?
