SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) –The Dean of students at Nottingham High School, Greg Jones, grew up around basketball. A former Nottingham graduate, Jones learned to love the sport through heavy influence from Syracuse University’s finest ballplayers back in the ’70s and ’80s.
“In the offseason, man, those guys played in the hood,” Jones said. “They played pick-up ball on the southside of Syracuse at Kirk Park.”
By playing with the locals, the university athletes relinquished some star power to gain familiarity with the Syracuse community. However, Jones said that if it weren’t for their high-flying talent and exceptional athleticism, Syracuse basketball wouldn’t have the fans that the program is so famous for.
“I still remember Sherman Douglas throwing the alley-oop to Derrick Coleman,” Jones said referring to a highlight play during Syracuse basketball’s glory days in the ’80s. “I think it’s been the great players that have come through this place that draws people to continue to support this team.”
Charleston Collins has been a Syracuse basketball fan for as long as he can remember. Now 60 years old, Collins runs a local barbershop on South Crouse Avenue — a staple within the city. Like Jones, Collins developed personal relationships with many big-time players.
“I had relationships with the football players who used to come down to get haircuts,” Collins said. “But even some of the basketball players too. CJ Fair, Michael Carter-Williams, and even as far back as [Don] McPherson.” All three of these names would go on to play professionally in either the NBA or the NFL.
Even though Collins has witnessed decades of Syracuse University success, there’s one player who’s stuck out as the best over all these years.
“It’s Carmelo. Period. No one comes close.”
This season, Syracuse finished with a losing record for the first time during head coach Jim Boeheim’s 46-year tenure. Although Jones didn’t make it to the Carrier Dome this year and Collins was only able to make the trip there once due to COVID-19, they’re hopeful that Boeheim can will his players back to the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference next year.
