Syracuse fans quickly found a nickname for this deadly guard out of Central Michigan. Devo had a temper, and sometimes found trouble off the court. But he had a tight handle, a silky smooth pull up game and left-handed finishes off the glass that left rim protectors mystified.
Devendorf owns one of the most memorable shots in SU history, and it didn’t even count.
That was a 2009 Big East Tournament quarterfinal game against UConn. Devendorf’s shot was a quarter-tick late, which only delayed the game’s conclusion by six extra overtime periods. The Orange won it 127-117 (6OT).
In that BET, Devedorf’s final postseason, he scored 84 points in four games, an all-time record for the tournament. Syracuse lost in the final to Louisville.
That redshirt junior campaign saw Devendorf average 15.7 points and 3.0 assists. He was granted a redshirt year after tearing his ACL mid-season as a junior, but skirted for the NBA instead of staying for a 5th.
“Devo” averaged double-digit scoring in all four years with Syracuse. He’s 14th on SU’s all-time points list.
As a pro, Devendorf made the rounds in Europe for seven seasons. He remains by far Boeheim’s Army’s most consistent contributor in The Basketball Tournament.
In 2016, Devendorf returned to CNY, where he joined Jim Boeheim’s staff as assistant strength and conditioning coach. He manned that position for two years before progressing his career as a special assistant with the University of Detroit Mercy.
Devendorf clearly has a passion for teaching.
It wouldn’t be all too surprising if he isn’t done contributing to the Orange. His contributions on the floor are enough to land him at #56.
