Senior forward Kris Joseph surpassed the 1,000 point mark in his career with 9:03 left in the first half of Syracuse’s 92-56 win over Manhattan at the Carrier Dome on Monday. Joseph became the 55th player in program history to reach the plateau.
The clincher came on a 3-pointer when James Southerland found Joseph wide open in the corner. Joseph finished with 15 points and seven rebounds.
“It means a lot to me,” Joseph said to reporters following the game. “Growing up, I always told myself whatever college I go to, I want to be a part of that club. It is a great honor and an elite club to be a part of.”
It was fitting that the shot that sent Joseph into the elite club came on a 3-pointer.
A few seasons ago, Joseph didn’t have the shot in his repertoire. But it became a viable shot for Joseph last year after working tirelessly with an oversized ball to increase his shooting accuracy.
It paid dividends last year as Joseph shot 36 percent from downtown after he shot just 22 percent in his sophomore year.
In two games this season, Joseph is 5-for-9.
“I shot with the big ball and got back to my routine shooting with the big ball before the game starts,” Joseph said. “I knew I was four points away from 1,000 and I just wanted to get them as quickly as possible.”
