Syracuse University Basketball: Top 10 Orange Who Have Flopped in the NBA

Syracuse University, led by Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, has long been one of the top NCAA basketball teams. Unlike Kentucky, Syracuse isn't usually a one-and-done school. Players go there to compete and win in NCAA play, not to focus on the NBA.

However, several star players in college have failed in the NBA. Leaders as Orangemen have transformed to flops in the NBA. Miserable performances have led to short professional careers.

The purpose of this slideshow isn't to contemplate why Syracuse alumni have struggled in the NBA. This slideshow ranks the the top 10 Orangemen who haven't exactly enjoyed their tenure in the NBA.

The results are in. Here are the top 10 Orangemen to disappoint in the NBA

No. 10 Jonny Flynn

After an All-American career in high school, Flynn had equal success in the NCAA game. In his two seasons at Syracuse, Flynn averaged 16.6 points per game, six assists per game and 2.7 rebounds per game. In his final season at Syracuse, Flynn was the hero of an epic, six-overtime game against UConn in the Big East Tournament, playing 67 of the 70 minutes and scoring 34 points. 

He was drafted sixth overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He had a solid rookie season but his underwhelming sophomore season led to a trade to the Houston Rockets in the offseason. Flynn is currently struggling for playing time in the NBA but has time to prove himself in the big league.

No. 9 Jason Hart

Although he played nine NBA seasons, he didn't exactly have the success that he did at Syracuse. In his four-year career as an Orangeman, he averaged 11.4 points per game, 6.5 assists per game and 3.3 rebounds per game.

He was drafted in the second round of the 2000 NBA draft but his career was a mess from there. He has been a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Bobcats, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Hornets. As if that wasn't enough, he also had stints in Greece and the D-League. In his NBA career, he averaged 4.8 points per game, 2.3 assists per game and 1.7 rebounds per game.

No. 8 Rafael Addison

The three-year starter at Syracuse averaged 14.9 points per game, 2.5 assists per game and 5.2 rebounds per game in his career as an Orange. However, his NBA career never exactly took off.

He was selected in the second round of the 1986 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns but struggled from there. He played six NBA seasons over 11 years with four franchises.

In 379 NBA games, he averaged 5.8 points per game, 0.9 assists per game and 2.1 rebounds per game. He also played basketball in Greece and was named to Syracuse's All-Century Team in 2000.

No. 7 Donte Greene

The decision to go one-and-done certainly hasn't benefited Donte Greene in the long run. In his lone season at Syracuse, Greene averaged 17.7 points per game, two assists per game and 7.2 rebounds per game.

His freshman season was stellar enough to see him get drafted 28th overall in the 2008 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. Soon after, he was traded to the Houston Rockets, and one month later traded to the Sacramento Kings.

In his first three NBA seasons, Greene averaged 6.2 points per game, 0.7 assists per game and 2.3 rebounds per game. While he is still in the NBA, he is running out of time to show he belongs. His stats in the pro game show that he could have benefited from having more time to develop in the NCAA game.

No. 6 Leo Rautins

One of the best basketball players to ever come out of Canada, Leo Rautins starred at Syracuse. In the 1980-1981 season, he scored the game-winning basket against Villanova in triple overtime, giving the Orange its first Big East Tournament championship. For his career at Syracuse University, Rautins averaged 12.1 points per game, five assits per game and 6.3 rebounds per game.

Drafted No. 17 overall in the 1983 draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, his NBA career lasted only two seasons. While knee injuries contributed to his failures, playing for three teams in two years after being drafted in the top 20 is unacceptable. He averaged 1.5 points per game, one assist per game and 1.1 rebounds per game. He eventually continued his professional career in Europe but he was a total bust in the NBA.

No. 5 Demetris Nichols

During his senior season at Syracuse, Nichols averaged 18.9 points per game, 1.1 assists per game and 4.1 points per game. This boosted his stock as he was drafted in the second round in 2007 by the Portland Trailblazers.

He was quickly traded to New York, cut and signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers. After a few weeks, he was cut and claimed by the Chicago Bulls. His NBA career lasted 18 games and he averaged 1.2 points per game, 0.1 assists per game and 0.4 points per game. He would later try out with the Utah Jazz but would not make the final roster.

His NCAA career was brilliant. NBA career? Not so much.

No. 4 LeRon Ellis

In his two seasons at Syracuse, Ellis averaged 8.6 points per game, one assist per game and 5.9 rebounds per game. The 6'9'' center didn't exactly have the same results in the NBA.

The Los Angeles Clippers drafted Ellis No. 22 overall in the 1991 NBA draft. His career lasted three seasons with three different teams. For his NBA career, Ellis averaged three points per game, 0.3 assists per game and 2.4 rebounds per game.

No. 3 Lawrence Moten

The four-year player at Syracuse started 118 games in his career and averaged 19.3 points per game, 2.5 assists per game and 4.9 rebounds per game. He was drafted 36 overall in the 1995 NBA draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies.

However, the hot scorer flopped in the NBA, lasting four seasons. After three unproductive seasons in Vancouver, he played one season with the Washington Bullets. In 119 NBA games, Moten averaged 6.3 points per game and 1.5 assists and rebounds per game.

No. 2 Pearl Washington

The three-year Orangeman averaged 15.6 points per game, 6.7 assists per game and 2.7 rebounds per game in his career at Syracuse. Being the first player to leave school early under the watch of legendary coach Jim Boeheim, Washington was drafted in 1986. Although his Orange lost the 1985 national championship game, Washington was named tournament MVP.

He was a first team All-American his junior season and the New Jersey Nets thought highly enough of him to select him 13th overall. In his three-year NBA career, Washington averaged 8.6 points per game, 3.8 assists per game and 1.9 rebounds per game. He later had his No. 31 jersey retired by Syracuse and was a member of their All-Century team.

No. 1 Dennis DuVal

The three-year player at Syracuse started all 81 games he played in and averaged 18.6 points per game, 3.6 assists per game and 4.3 rebounds per game.

After college, he was drafted by the Washington Bullets of the NBA and the Denver Nuggets of the ABA. He lasted two seasons in the NBA, one with Washington and one with the Atlanta Hawks.

For his career, he averaged 1.9 points per game, 0.7 assists per game and 0.6 rebounds per game. He was later inducted into the Syracuse Hall of Fame and in 2000 was a member of Syracuse's All-Century team.

"Dis"-Honorable Mention

Luckily for these players, there was no room for them on my top 10 list of NBA busts. "Dis"-Honorable Mention goes to:

1. Hakim Warrick

2. Andy Rautins

3. Rudy Hackett

4. Dave Johnson

5. Frank Reddout