Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMBB | Memphis grabs Greene at No. 28, trades him to Houston
By John Clayton, Tyler Dunne
Posted: 6/26/08, 11:19 PM EST Section: Sports
Thursday's draft closed the curtain on a Syracuse career that began with promise - with Greene as the star of a nationally heralded recruiting class - but ended with the Orange, plagued by injuries and inexperience, in the NIT for the second straight year.
Greene led the Orange in scoring last year with 17.7 points per game, which also ranked fourth in the Big East. He averaged 7.2 rebounds per game, though most of Greene's damage came behind the arc. When Andy Rautins and Eric Devendorf were lost to season-ending knee injuries, Greene became SU's de facto three-point threat. The 6-foot-9 forward set a SU freshman record for three-pointers (90), surpassing Gerry McNamara (85).
But consistency proved elusive for Greene, whose play faded later in the year. In Big East games, Greene shot 29 percent from three-point land (he shot 41 percent in non-conference play). He also finished with more turnovers (91) than assists (70).
As the season wore on, the Orange floundered along with its leading scorer. Syracuse missed the NCAA Tournament the second straight season for the first time since 1982, eventually falling to Massachusetts in the NIT quarterfinal.
In April, Greene declared for the draft, and in early June he signed with agent Bill Strickland of Blue Entertainment Sports Television, cementing his place on the draft board.
Unlike Carmelo Anthony, a fellow Baltimore native who led the Orange to a national championship in his only season in 2003, Greene wasn't exactly embraced after declaring for the draft. Greene said his cell phone and Facebook page were raided by SU fans who felt Greene had abandoned the team.
"I don't get no love from up there," Greene told The Daily Orange after his draft workout in Philadelphia. "That's crazy, man."
"I'm getting drafted, I'm going lottery, trying to go down top 10 … So let me go. I'm not coming back to school."
With his NBA fate now decided, the door has officially shut on Greene's tumultuous Syracuse career. His basketball home now resides in Houston.
jsclayto@syr.edu
thdunne@syr.edu
Greene led the Orange in scoring last year with 17.7 points per game, which also ranked fourth in the Big East. He averaged 7.2 rebounds per game, though most of Greene's damage came behind the arc. When Andy Rautins and Eric Devendorf were lost to season-ending knee injuries, Greene became SU's de facto three-point threat. The 6-foot-9 forward set a SU freshman record for three-pointers (90), surpassing Gerry McNamara (85).
But consistency proved elusive for Greene, whose play faded later in the year. In Big East games, Greene shot 29 percent from three-point land (he shot 41 percent in non-conference play). He also finished with more turnovers (91) than assists (70).
As the season wore on, the Orange floundered along with its leading scorer. Syracuse missed the NCAA Tournament the second straight season for the first time since 1982, eventually falling to Massachusetts in the NIT quarterfinal.
In April, Greene declared for the draft, and in early June he signed with agent Bill Strickland of Blue Entertainment Sports Television, cementing his place on the draft board.
Unlike Carmelo Anthony, a fellow Baltimore native who led the Orange to a national championship in his only season in 2003, Greene wasn't exactly embraced after declaring for the draft. Greene said his cell phone and Facebook page were raided by SU fans who felt Greene had abandoned the team.
"I don't get no love from up there," Greene told The Daily Orange after his draft workout in Philadelphia. "That's crazy, man."
"I'm getting drafted, I'm going lottery, trying to go down top 10 … So let me go. I'm not coming back to school."
With his NBA fate now decided, the door has officially shut on Greene's tumultuous Syracuse career. His basketball home now resides in Houston.
jsclayto@syr.edu
thdunne@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
chaz
posted 6/27/08 @ 9:50 AM EST
see ya, greene, we hardly knew ya
James
posted 6/28/08 @ 2:38 PM EST
Well, let this be a lesson to every mediocre freshman who thinks he will be a lottery pick. The sad thing is if he had stayed in school and performed at a high level for a year (Greene rarely looked like the best player on the court this year) he would have got a lot more guaranteed money and a much better chance at ever getting out of the NBADL. (Continued…)
Crystal
posted 6/30/08 @ 4:23 AM EST
I don't understand why everyone is hating/turning on Donte for making his own decisions that were, in fact, what was best for Donte and his family. Let the man live! He is actually a great and fun person to be around. (Continued…)
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