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Since the turn of the century, SU Athletics has experienced national championships, rebuilds and everything in between. The Orange have been defined by their athletes, who have posted standout collegiate and professional careers. A quarter of the way through the 21st century, The Daily Orange Sports Staff ranked SU’s top-25 players this century. Below is our list featuring record-setters and record-holders whose contributions elevated Syracuse teams to new heights.

1) Carmelo Anthony, men’s basketball, 2002-03

Anthony had one of the best freshman seasons in college basketball history, leading Syracuse to its first National Championship in 2003. The Baltimore, Maryland, native earned National Freshman of the Year honors from the United States Basketball Writers Association and was the Final Four Most Outstanding Player before becoming the No. 3 selection in the 2003 NBA Draft.

2) Michael Powell, men’s lacrosse, 2001-04

One of the most iconic lacrosse players ever, Powell is Syracuse’s all-time points leader with 307. Powell was a four-time All-American from 2001-04, helping the Orange to four straight Final Fours, including national-title wins in 2002 and 2004, while also winning the Tewaaraton Award in both those years.

3) Kayla Treanor, women’s lacrosse, 2013-16

Now the head coach of SU’s women’s lacrosse program, Treanor starred with the Orange from 2013-16. A four-time All-American and three-time IWLCA Attacker of the Year, Treanor’s attacking skills and draw control success led Syracuse to four consecutive Championship Weekends and a NCAA title game appearance in 2014.

4) Justyn Knight, track and field, 2014-17

Knight is, without question, SU’s best track and field athlete of all time. An eight-time USTFCCCA All-American and two-time ACC Individual Champion, Knight’s four-year career was historic. He holds Syracuse records for the fastest 3000m (7:47.82) and 1500m race (3:36.07) and set what was the world’s-fastest 5k time at the 2017 Payton Jordan Invitational (13:17.51). In 2018, Knight won the NCAA Championship in the 5000m.

Justyn Knight was an eight-time USTFCCCA All-American at Syracuse. Photo courtesy of the Atlantic Coast Conference

5) Dwight Freeney, football, 1998-2001

Before a 16-year NFL career that culminated in enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Freeney recorded 34 sacks across four seasons at Syracuse from 1998-2001. He recorded 17.5 sacks as a senior in 2001, taking home Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors and finishing ninth in Heisman Trophy voting.

6) Alyssa Manley, field hockey, 2012-15

Manley fueled Syracuse field hockey’s 2015 national championship team — SU’s first Division I women’s program to ever win an NCAA title. The defensive-minded midfielder was a three-time All-American in four years with the Orange with her best season coming in 2015. She was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was First-Team All-Conference.

7) Hakim Warrick, men’s basketball, 2001-05

A four-year starter at Syracuse, Warrick was key to SU’s 2003 national championship. He’s known for his iconic block on Kansas’ Michael Lee in the corner to seal SU’s win. Warrick was a force during all four seasons with the Orange, averaging 15.4 points per game and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 54% from the field.

8) Gerry McNamara, men’s basketball, 2002-06

McNamara accompanied Anthony in Syracuse’s 2002 recruiting class, starring alongside the forward by draining six 3-pointers in the National Championship. The Scranton, Pennsylvania, native became a four-year starter at Syracuse en route to having his No. 3 retired. McNamara then spent 15 seasons on SU’s coaching staff before becoming Siena’s head coach this year.

9) Dyaisha Fair, women’s basketball, 2022-24

In her two years at Syracuse, Buffalo transfer Fair made her mark. The point guard finished her college career with the third-most points in NCAA women’s basketball history (3,403). With the Orange, she averaged 21.0 points per game and was a two-time All-ACC First-Teamer. Fair sealed her legacy by taking SU to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in a memorable 2023-24 season.

Dyaisha Fair averaged 21.0 points across her two seasons at Syracuse. Joe Zhao | Design Editor

10) Meaghan Tyrrell, women’s lacrosse, 2019-23

Tyrrell burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2019, becoming a top-scoring threat in 20 starts. She later evolved into its all-time points leader after five seasons from 2019-23, helping Syracuse to the national championship in 2021. Tyrrell was also named a Tewaaraton nominee twice and the ACC Attacker of the Year in 2023.

11) John Galloway, men’s lacrosse, 2008-11

As the most decorated Syracuse goalie in program history, Galloway was a four-year star. He helped SU win back-to-back national championships as a freshman and sophomore in 2008-09. Galloway finished his career as the NCAA’s all-time wins (59) and minutes played (3,776) leader. A two-time All-American, Galloway only allowed 7.2 goals in 11 postseason games.

12) Polina Shemanova, volleyball, 2018-22

Shemanova finished her five-year Syracuse career with 2,345 kills, the most in program history. Dana Fiume (1,698) previously held the record for over two decades. Shemanova, an outside hitter, was the 2018 ACC Freshman of the Year and earned All-ACC First-Team honors in 2018, 2019 and 2022.

13) Kyle McCord, football, 2024

The first quarterback under Fran Brown, McCord transferred to SU from Ohio State and never looked back. In his lone season with the Orange, McCord broke single-season passing records for touchdowns and yards in program history and the ACC’s single-season mark for yards and completions en route to Syracuse’s third 10-win season of the 21st century.

14) Kayla Alexander, women’s basketball, 2009-13

Alexander is one of two Syracuse women’s basketball players with her jersey retired by the university. The dominant post player made three All-Big East teams and graduated as the program’s all-time points leader (2,024) and blocks leader (350). Alexander was the No. 8 pick of the 2013 WNBA Draft, then-the second SU player to be drafted into the WNBA.

15) Katie Rowan Thomson, women’s lacrosse, 2006-09

From 2006-09, Rowan became the first marquee attack of SU’s women’s lacrosse program. Her 396 points rank second in program history, and her 69 assists and 142 points still stand as single-season records. The two-time Big East Attack Player of the Year helped the Orange to their first Final Four in 2008 as she led the nation in scoring.

16) Joel White, men’s lacrosse, 2008-11

White is Syracuse’s all-time leader in ground balls (283), points by a defender (28) and goals (18). White won two national championships in 2008 and 2009 during his first two seasons. As an upperclassman, White was a two-time All-American and Tewaaraton Award finalist.

17) Emma Russell, field hockey, 2012-15

Russell was another key member of SU field hockey’s 2015 squad. She remains the best offensive player in program history, holding Syracuse records for most career points (140) and goals (57). The forward was a two-time NFHCA First Team All-American and contributed 15 goals and seven assists during SU’s NCAA Championship season. Russell now serves as an assistant coach with the Orange.

18) Nathan Opoku, men’s soccer, 2022

Opoku only spent one season with Syracuse but led the Orange to their lone National Championship in 2022. Opoku recorded 11 goals and eight assists in 25 games and was the College Cup’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player. Following his SU career, Opoku signed with English Premier League club Leicester City.

Nathan Opoku propelled Syracuse to its lone National Championship in 2022. Meghan Hendricks | Senior Staff Photographer

19) Miles Robinson, men’s soccer, 2015-16

Anchored by Robinson’s ACC All-Freshman caliber defense, Syracuse reached the College Cup for the first time in program history in 2015. As a sophomore, Robinson was an NSCAA All-America First Team selection and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, his last season at SU before becoming the No. 2 pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.

20) Stephanie Grossi, ice hockey, 2014-18

Grossi finished her Syracuse career with the most points (117), assists (72), points in a game (five), shots on goal (486) and the second-most goals (45) in program history. The forward was a two-time CHA First Team All-Conference selection and is one of two SU players to surpass 100 career points.

21) Jenna Caira, softball, 2009-12

Caira is the lone Syracuse softball player to have her number retired. She was a dominant pitcher from 2009-12, finishing at the top of every statistic in program history. Caira has the most wins (97), complete games (82), innings pitched (887) and strikeouts (1,051). As a senior, Caira was a third-team All-American selection, accumulating a 1.60 earned run average.

22) Brandon Mullins, men’s lacrosse, 2012-16

Among the best long poles in Syracuse history, Brandon Mullins was a close-defending staple from 2012-16. Mullins was a two-time Tewaaraton Award nominee and is the only SU men’s lacrosse player since 2010 to be a three-time All-American selection. In 2016, Mullins ranked second on the Orange in ground balls (41) and first in caused turnovers per game (1.82), setting career highs in both categories.

23) Walter Reyes, football, 2001-04

Reyes finished his Syracuse career with 3,974 scrimmage yards, the second-most in program history. The running back scored 21 touchdowns in 2003, the most by an SU player across a single season this century. Reyes was regarded as a Heisman Trophy contender heading into his senior year but was derailed by injuries.

24. Eric Dungey, football, 2015-18

As a dual-threat quarterback, Dungey became a fan favorite. Across his four-year career, Dungey led the Orange to an upset victory over No. 2 Clemson, a 10-win year in 2018 and stands alone as Syracuse’s all-time passing leader with 9,340 yards along with nearly 2,000 on the ground.

Eric Dungey finished his career with the most passing yards in Syracuse history. Todd Michalek | Daily Orange File Photo

25) Alexis Peterson, women’s basketball, 2013-17

Peterson etched her name in the Syracuse record books during her four-year career. The point guard finished with 1,978 points, the second-most in program history, while dishing out the second-most assists with 590. As a junior, Peterson helped Syracuse to its first-ever Final Four, finishing as runners-up. The following season, Peterson was sixth nationally with 23.4 points per game.

Published on January 27, 2025 at 11:26 pm