Doubling up
Kevin Drew is a top lacrosse prospect. But the chance to play basketball lured him to Syracuse
By Michael Bonner
Posted: 10/27/08, 2:44 AM EST Section: Sports
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Syracuse boasted its 10 titles, while the team SU had beat in May to capture its 10th championship, Johns Hopkins, enticed Drew with its nine titles.
Drew decided to don the Orange instead of the Blue Jays' blue, but it had nothing to do with Syracuse's championship edge.
"I decided to come up here when I heard (I could play) basketball," Drew said. "It was kind of like a no-brainer."
On one hand, he's a Top 10 lacrosse recruit, the next in a seemingly endless line of can't-miss prospects to join the Orange's nationally heralded lacrosse program. On the other hand, he's a walk-on guard on the SU basketball team, trying to prove himself on the same team he spent his childhood
watching.
It's a situation Drew didn't foresee. When he first visited Syracuse, he thought college basketball was not an option.
Basketball was his first love - he'd been playing since he was in the third grade. He got his first taste of lacrosse when he was in fifth grade.
Originally, no schools offered the 6-foot-2 guard/midfielder the opportunity to play both sports. He had no shortage of lacrosse suitors. After all, Inside Lacrosse magazine rated Drew the No. 9 lacrosse recruit in the country. The midfielder from John Jay-Cross River High School (N.Y.) participated in the 2008 U.S. Under-19 team tryouts.
It looked like Drew would go solely the lacrosse rout. Then men's basketball head coach Jim Boeheim heard about Drew's trip to Syracuse.
Drew's father, Bill, played basketball for the Orangemen from 1977-78. His first year on the team was also Boeheim's first year as Syracuse head coach. In his two years with the team, Bill averaged five points in 38 appearances.
"I knew his dad. I knew his dad for a long time," Boeheim said. "I liked Kevin as a player and thought he could help us. It won't take away from lacrosse."
Since his father had played for Syracuse, Drew always had a high interest in the team. The chance to play for the basketball team he grew up watching was too much to resist.
"I've been coming to all the games," Drew said. "I know all the players' names and all that stuff. And actually coming here and meeting all them and playing with them, it's an awesome experience."
Drew spent his first few months at SU with the lacrosse team during the Orange's fall practice schedule. He's since started practicing with the basketball team. So far, there haven't been any problems with the two sports overlapping.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 9
jasonglades
Accounting papers
posted 2/13/09 @ 10:47 AM EST
The interesting fact that Drew spent his first few months at SU with the lacrosse team during the Orange's fall practice schedule.
Maria Schellden
posted 3/05/09 @ 3:08 AM EST
wow, this brings back some great memories! it seems like just yesterday i was watching all of these great shows, and more great shows. this homecoming theme has been so much fun!
Essay Writing Help
posted 3/06/09 @ 12:41 AM EST
Drew must of fun at SU, this homecoming theme has been so much fun!
Essay Writing Service
posted 3/06/09 @ 12:43 AM EST
Kevin Drew must be happy with Orange, he is a lucky guy
Alison Worth
posted 3/09/09 @ 4:06 AM EST
Good and interesting article, thanks!
Sharon Theodoric
posted 3/14/09 @ 12:14 PM EST
Thank you for writing the article, I am very pleased with how it came out.
Alison Koppel
posted 5/23/09 @ 1:22 AM EST
I like articles like this. Great Article! Thanks!
real_essay
posted 10/03/09 @ 9:36 AM EST
Kevin Drew - never heard about him. Thank you - it was interesting to read.
speech_topics
posted 10/03/09 @ 1:51 PM EST
Interesting story. he is a strong player?
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