Syracuse Basketball: Analyzing the NBA Draft Stock of Each Orange Departure

In 2012, the Syracuse Orange experienced one of their most successful seasons in school history. They finished the regular season with 30 wins and just one loss, the school's best record of all time. This winning atmosphere in Syracuse can be largely attributed to the talent depth on the Orange roster.

Four players from last year's team have enlisted in the NBA draft. Let's see where they will be heading. 

Scoop Jardine

2011-2012 Stats: 8.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.4 spg

Scoop Jardine will go down as one of the most beloved point guards in Syracuse history. Despite constantly splitting time with Brandon Triche, he still managed to dish out five dimes a night.

He has a solid jumper and crossover, but unfortunately he does not have the overall skill set to compete on the NBA level. 

Draft Prediction: Undrafted

Kris Joseph

2011-2012 Statistics: 13.4 pgg, 4.7 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.4 spg

Over the past two years, there has been the perception that Kris Joseph was the Orange's best player. However, Joseph never stepped up to distinguish himself as the clear-cut leader of the Orange in any way.

He never blossomed into the star player that people expected him to be going into his senior year. Having said that, Joseph is indeed a dynamic player and a decent scorer, but he lacks a quality jump shot, thus landing him in the second round.

Draft Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers (35th Overall)

On a team filled with young talent, Kris Joseph would be a solid player off the bench for the Cavs. 

Fab Melo

2011-2012 Statistics: 7.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.9 bpg

Despite the fact that Fab Melo left Syracuse in the most bizarre fashion, he still has shown signs of talent throughout his collegiate career. While not a prolific scorer, Melo is an astounding defensive player. He has great size, which will translate well in the NBA.

Just as he did in college, Melo will need some time to adjust to the professional level. 

Melo is also lucky that the NBA doesn't utilize the Wonderlic test, otherwise he would look worse than Morris Claiborne. 

Draft Prediction: Miami Heat (30th overall)

Miami is in dire need of a decent center. Adding Melo to their squad would make them one of the greatest defensive teams of all time. His presence down low could be exactly what the Heat are looking for.

Dion Waiters

2011-2012 Statistics: 12.6 ppg, 2.3 apg, 2.5 rpg, 1.8 spg

Anyone that is called "Dwyane Wade's Clone" has a bright future ahead of them. In his sophomore year at Syracuse, Waiters came out of his shell, becoming an unstoppable force off of the bench. Despite being the Orange's second-leading scorer, he had no problem understanding his role Boeheim's sixth man.

His class and athleticism will allow him to be a very solid role player in the NBA at the very least. While he still needs a couple of years to develop, Waiters has the potential to be a great player. 

Draft Prediction: Denver Nuggets (18th overall)

Playing alongside Ty Lawson would prove very successful for the Nuggets. Both players are fast and thrive off the transition game. The two together could create the fastest backcourt in the league.