Syracuse basketball: All-time starting 5 lineup

LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 19: Head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange looks on during a game against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on February 19, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville defeated Syracuse 90-66. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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SYRACUSE, NY – FEBRUARY 01: Former Syracuse University player Derrick Coleman gestures to the crowd during ESPN College GameDay prior to the game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on February 1, 2014 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

2. F Derrick Coleman (1986-1990)

It is fitting Douglas’ teammate Derrick Coleman joins him in the starting lineup for Syracuse’s all-time team. Coleman was a year younger than Douglas but was arguably the more accomplished collegiate player.

The left-handed power forward made sweet music working with Douglas for three years, playing a key role on Syracuse’s national runner-up team in 1987 and Elite Eight squad in 1998. Coleman took over as the team’s leader after Douglas graduated, being named the Big East Player of the Year in 1990 and became a first-team All-American as well.

All of Coleman’s collegiate success led the New Jersey Nets to take him with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft, but Coleman didn’t have nearly the same success as a pro. Coleman still carved out a 15-year career in the NBA but he never reached quite the same heights as he did at Syracuse.

There have been few collegiate players with as big an impact as Coleman, who was one of the biggest stars in the sport when he was at Syracuse. The school retired Coleman’s no. 44 as well, allowing him to join his longtime teammate Douglas in the rafters.

The addition of Coleman alongside Anthony in the frontcourt completes the forwards for our all-time Syracuse lineup. This team still needs a wing, and that is exactly where we’ll go for the marquee attraction on this squad.