BRANDON TRICHE NEXT IN LINE

April 20, 2009


When Jamesville-DeWitt star guard Brandon Triche committed to play for the hometown Syracuse Orange, the feeling was the solidly built 6-foot-3 guard could ease his way into the line-up spelling star Jonny Flynn next season. That plan might have changed drastically with Flynn opting to sign with an agent and enter the 2009 NBA Draft last week.

“Obviously it’s gonna be a lot of pressure, but I think I can handle it," Triche told NBE Saturday night when competing in the Jordan Brand Regional All-Star game at Madison Square Garden. "[I’m] working out everyday just to preparing myself for it. So I think I can come in and be an impact player.”

Triche certainly looked to part on Saturday, scoring a game-high 33 points and earning the game's co-MVP with Russell Smith.

With other Big East recruits on the floor such as Dan Jennings (WVU), Austin Johnson (RU), Omari Lawrence (SJU) and other talented players making up a City team and a Suburbs team, Triche dazzled on-lookers with his passing ability and drives to the basket. His 200-lb frame looks to be ready for the Big East battles he is likely to be thrown into early in his college career.

Triche will have another local product who has been through a similar situation as point guard for the home town Orange to help him out. Lazarus Sims is a member of the Syracuse basketball staff and will be a good source of help as Triche will battle the demands of playing in front of a dedicated basketball fan base that he has grown up among. Triche is the nephew of former Orange forward Howard Triche, who was a senior captain on the Syracuse team that lost to Indiana in the national championship game in 1987.

Triche told NBE he will waste no time getting to work with his new teammates. After graduating from J-D on June 29th, Triche expects to start classes at SU around July 2nd. Triche has shined on every big stage he found himself on this past season, including Saturday night at MSG, the stages will be bigger and brighter next year in the Big East, but expect Triche to be ready!