Sunday, May 19th, 2013
Each week over the summer, The Juice Online will be counting down the top 15 players in Syracuse basketball history. Sherman Douglas is No. 7 on our list.
Sherman Douglas was also known as “The General”
WHY HE’S NO. 7: Sherman “The General” Douglas was one of the best point guards in Syracuse history. Thrust into the starting role after Pearl Washington left for the NBA after his junior year, Douglas led the team to the 1987 National Championship game. Had it not been for Indiana guard Keith Smart’s last second heroics, the Orangemen would’ve won their first title that season. Douglas was also known for his perfectly timed alley-oops to teammates Derrick Coleman and Stevie Thompson, and had a feathery touch on his floaters. When he graduated, he left as Syracuse’s all time leading scorer.
» Agree with the ranking? Leave your thoughts below
» No. 8 on the all time countdown is John Wallace
AFTER SYRACUSE: Douglas was selected with the 28th pick in the second round by the Miami Heat. In his second season with the Miami Heat, he had his best season, with 18.5 points and 8.5 assists per game. He played for five teams from 1989 to 2001 and finished with career averages of 11.0 points and 5.9 assists per game.
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Tags: Basketball, Sherman Douglas, Syracuse, Top 15 Syracuse Basketball Players
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This is a terrible ranking. How old are you? Did you ever get a chance to watch Sherman play? I watched him for his entire SU career and followed him in the NBA, and Sherman was clearly one of the top 4-5 players in Cuse history. He finished his career as the NCAA’s all-time assist leader and Cuse’s all-time leading scorer. Boeheim always says that Sherm had the biggest heart and worked harder than any player he ever coached (maybe G-Mac would now be alongside Sherman on that point). Based on who hasn’t been ranked yet, you’re saying that Seikaly and Stevie Thompson were better? I loved both of those players, but absolutely not. I think you could can make the argument that Pearl, who was a transformative college player, and Billy Owens, could be ranked higher than Sherm. I wouldn’t do that, but I could respect that argument. (Btw, I’m assuming Bing is #1, Coleman is #2.)
I would also think Sherman is a bit too low. If we agree Bing is #1 (cant argue, never saw him play), I’d put Pearl #2, Coleman #3, Sherman #4 and Owens #5. Can’t see the General falling to #7 under any circumstances