It just makes sense that Buddy and Jimmy Boeheim reunited in the NBA. After finishing first and second on Syracuse in scoring in 2021-22, the brothers both felt it was time to move on. Buddy put the nation on notice during the 2021 NCAA Tournament, then won the ACC scoring title. Jimmy applied for an extra year of eligibility, and was denied. Both entered the NBA draft… and neither were drafted.
However, the brothers had still proved enough through their college seasons to get a shot at the next level. Buddy signed a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons, meaning he’ll bounce back and forth between the NBA and G-League.
Jimmy signed a summer league contract. In order to make the NBA, he’ll have to ball out in the Las Vegas summer showcase. It might be tough…
This Pistons summer league roster is loaded. Detroit has last year’s number one overall pick Cade Cunningham, along with 3-and-D star Saddiq Bey and two year vets Killian Hayes and Braxton Key on the roster. Jaden Ivey, the number five overall pick of 2022, is going to get a ton of run, along with Isaiah Livers, who barely played because of injury. However, there are still a few intangibles which could keep the Boeheims around for the 2022-23 season.
Shooting
This is what the brothers, mainly Buddy, are known for. The younger Boeheim made 262 career three-pointers, second-most all time in Syracuse history. The Pistons are banking on Buddy’s shooting ability translating to the next level. With his quick release, and ability to shoot from any angle, it shouldn’t be a problem. Jimmy isn’t as prolific of a shooter as his brother, but had multiple games with more than five threes, and hit big-time bombs from deep when it counted.
Teamwork
Buddy and Jimmy have been playing together for many years now. Last year, they played together. They have seamless chemistry, working together on opposite wings. They’ll have to adjust with stars like Cunningham and Bey on the floor, but they can easily become role players (3-and-D specialists, pitching in when needed off the ball.
Basketball IQ
They’re the sons of one of the greatest basketball coaches in the history of the sport. Jimmy’s played Division One competition at multiple programs, practicing multiple offensive and defensive schemes. Jim Boeheim coached with Team USA for over 20 seasons, and his sons have been around that program, with the greatest players in basketball, forever. The hoops knowledge Buddy and Jimmy possess is second-to-none, and should keep them sharp during the summer league and throughout the NBA season.
