Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMBB | LONG GONE: As Donte Greene prepares for Thursday's NBA Draft, he's eager to leave Syracuse behind
By Andy McCullough
Posted: 6/24/08, 12:29 AM EST Section: Sports
"So let me go. I'm not coming back to school."
He made that official on May 29, when he signed with agent Bill Strickland and brushed aside three more years of eligibility. Thursday, the door will slam on his brief collegiate experience.
Because Donte Greene is gone, both literally and figuratively, from the Syracuse men's basketball program. Gone from the team, and gone from whatever warm spot he may have carved in the hearts of Syracuse fans.
These days, that soft space seems far away. A place in the heart? Please. He's closer to the spleen, more likely to receive a thumb in the eye instead of a warm welcome if he returns to campus any time soon. To many fans, he's the Judas who had the audacity to wear that ridiculous "Don'te Leave" shirt and still leave.
It started when he declared for the draft, just two weeks after Syracuse crashed out of the NIT and finished 21-14.
Comments on stories from The Daily Orange Web site discussing Greene's departure ranged from condescending to raging.
"Good luck in the NBDL, Donte!" one wrote.
"Selfish," another wrote. "Underdeveloped. Not as good as he thinks. Congratulations Donte, you'll be the next NBA journeymen [sic]."
A third summed things up: "What a fool!"
They could accept his struggles, his on-court inconsistency, when he was a member of the team.
They could accept the nine points in a March loss to Louisville, because in the previous game he had dropped 18 in a win against Georgetown.
But leaving so soon? That was harder to stomach
It spread to his profiles on Facebook and MySpace. Then someone got his phone number, and the calls poured in, just like they did when the Orange played Virginia earlier this season. Cavalier fans harassed Greene via phone days before the game.
Greene responded with 20 points to lead the Orange to a road win.
But that was a long time ago, before injuries (Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins) and suspensions (Scoop Jardine) and mistakes (remember that Pitt game?) derailed the Syracuse season and sent the young team to the NIT for the second year in a row.
He made that official on May 29, when he signed with agent Bill Strickland and brushed aside three more years of eligibility. Thursday, the door will slam on his brief collegiate experience.
Because Donte Greene is gone, both literally and figuratively, from the Syracuse men's basketball program. Gone from the team, and gone from whatever warm spot he may have carved in the hearts of Syracuse fans.
These days, that soft space seems far away. A place in the heart? Please. He's closer to the spleen, more likely to receive a thumb in the eye instead of a warm welcome if he returns to campus any time soon. To many fans, he's the Judas who had the audacity to wear that ridiculous "Don'te Leave" shirt and still leave.
It started when he declared for the draft, just two weeks after Syracuse crashed out of the NIT and finished 21-14.
Comments on stories from The Daily Orange Web site discussing Greene's departure ranged from condescending to raging.
"Good luck in the NBDL, Donte!" one wrote.
"Selfish," another wrote. "Underdeveloped. Not as good as he thinks. Congratulations Donte, you'll be the next NBA journeymen [sic]."
A third summed things up: "What a fool!"
They could accept his struggles, his on-court inconsistency, when he was a member of the team.
They could accept the nine points in a March loss to Louisville, because in the previous game he had dropped 18 in a win against Georgetown.
But leaving so soon? That was harder to stomach
It spread to his profiles on Facebook and MySpace. Then someone got his phone number, and the calls poured in, just like they did when the Orange played Virginia earlier this season. Cavalier fans harassed Greene via phone days before the game.
Greene responded with 20 points to lead the Orange to a road win.
But that was a long time ago, before injuries (Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins) and suspensions (Scoop Jardine) and mistakes (remember that Pitt game?) derailed the Syracuse season and sent the young team to the NIT for the second year in a row.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Marc LeVine
posted 6/24/08 @ 10:37 AM EST
Ok. So who's the next big "thing" in SU Basketball? Carmelo left us AFTER a Championship. Donte left us BEFORE one. Before Carmelo there were Derricks, Shermans, and Rony's. (Continued…)
Helen
posted 6/24/08 @ 11:11 AM EST
SU should build a men's ice hockey team- the athletic dynamic is so much different and the game is exciting!!! They athletes stay with the program in vastly larger percentages and they aren't in it just to go pro and make a killing. (Continued…)
John C.
posted 6/24/08 @ 12:43 PM EST
I'm over Donte leaving, but why would he even think he'd get any "love" from us up at 'Cuse? It's not like he left any legacy behind. He ushered in an era of showboating, no defense, and mental lapses, things Syracuse basketball never stood for, until now. (Continued…)
MarkinMaryland
posted 6/24/08 @ 7:39 PM EST
I am sad to see him go so quickly. I see all the problems Melo had his first few years in the pros on a personal level. Now with the DWI, something tells me the guy needed more help maturing. (Continued…)
Michael Rybacki
posted 6/25/08 @ 11:56 AM EST
I don't think Donte will fail. He's a talented kid, and the author of this article is right, he's going to make millions regardless.
That being said, I think this was a really shortsighted decision. (Continued…)
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