DION WAITERS: NEXT BIG THING AT SU

By Anthony Jaskulski

Syracuse University has put out its fair share of star-studded athletes.

Donovan McNabb broke five Big East records and three school records in his days as a Syracuse quarterback, Ernie Davis corralled the first Heisman trophy in Syracuse history from his running back position, and Carmelo Anthony brought Syracuse basketball its first NCAA championship, while winning the Most Outstanding Player award.

Enter Dion Waiters, the next possible candidate that hopes to join such a prestigious list.

With such an aggressive style that allows the big framed shooting guard to bang with the big men, as well as drop his beautiful jump shot from outside, all while handling the rock with impeccable design, it’s hard not to put Waiters on the prestigious waiting list.


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And with still another year left in high school, the 2010 Syracuse recruit has so much Orange blood in him, it’s hard to believe he hasn’t tenured several seasons already.

“The (Carrier) Dome, the fans, the coaches, the players, it’s a great place to be,” said Waiters about what drew him in to Syracuse. “The place is electric and it’s a basketball kind of school. I always liked the thought of wearing that jersey.”

As a freshman at South High in Philadelphia, Waiters made no hesitation and immediately gave a verbal commitment to Syracuse, and despite transferring through three schools since then, has never changed his mind.

“I’ve definitely been through a lot, but I know where I want to spend my four years of college at,” Waiters said about his early commit to Syracuse. “It’s just the right place for me, and I knew that the day I chose to go there”

A 6’3, 195 pound guard, Waiters moved on from South High to South Kent Prep in Connecticut, where he was suspended for "conduct detrimental to the team" late in his sophomore year, and shortly after transferring to Life Center Academy (NJ) for his junior season, where he currently resides, boasting a 16.8 points per game average last season, helping LCA to a 17-10 overall record and a No.22 ranking in the state.

Waiters has certainly proved his worth on the basketball court countless times, even earning him such honors as making the roster for Team USA in the Nike Global Challenge, and the Elite 24 all star game at Rucker Park in New York City last year.

His deadly, advanced skills also earned him a recent championship win at the Pittsburgh Jam Fest last month, as the guard led his AAU squad, Team Final, through the weekend at the Petersen Events Center, home of the Pittsburgh Panthers.

“It’s always nice to win a championship, because you knew you and your teammates were the best on the court,” said Waiters in Pittsburgh after winning the Jam Fest championship. “When you work as a team, and use everybody’s strengths, you win.”

Waiters continuing strides in the leadership and assist categories is precisely what turned him into ESPN’s top recruit from the shooting guard position in the class of 2010, as well as exciting Syracuse coaches and fans alike for the future, even if the future can not get here soon enough.

With Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf and Paul Harris leaving the SU backcourt for the professional ranks, Waiters is a player that could come in handy now, not just later. However, Dion is intent to work on his game and improve in his final season of prep ball before arriving in Central New York to play for the Orange.

“I lost weight and I’m a hard player learning more and more now,” said Waiters about developing his self. “I am getting my teammates involved more and adding new things to my game everyday. It’s all about getting that win. If you can get the win then you and your teammates did the job that needed to be done.”

Waiters will be joining a person who he says he resembles the most, his cousin, redshirt sophomore guard Scoop Jardine. They will headline a 2010 Orange team that looks, at least on paper, as one of the best in the conference.

“Even though he didn’t play (this year), I think I resemble Scoop the most on the basketball court,” said Waiters. “We’re both cousins and our game is so much alike. I can’t wait to get on the court with him.”

But despite their uncanny resemblance on the court, and being close cousins, Waiters says that was not the main reason in his choice of Syracuse.

“You could say I chose Syracuse because of Scoop, but it’s definitely not the main reason,” Waiters said. “I feel (Syracuse) is the place I wanted to be at more than anywhere else. It’s just a great atmosphere, and everything about it fits me just right.”

“I went to some games and it was just crazy. The place was nuts, especially during the Georgetown game. It seemed like from tipoff to the end, the noise was the same, and the crowd never sat down, and that’s the kind of things that gets my attention.”

Perhaps Dion could make his name as one of the best athletes to put a Syracuse jersey on. Maybe he can help bring another National Championship to the University. His trail run in the 2010 season will, in all likelihood, be a quick answer to that.