Syracuse sharp-shooter James Southerland out indefinitely with academic issues
Syracuse Orange forward James Southerland (43) shoots over South Florida Bulls forward Victor Rudd (2) during the first half at the Sun Dome. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
After dealing with the academic ineligibility of star shot-blocker Fab Melo a year ago, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim must deal with losing another starter to issues within the classroom.
Senior James Southerland, one of Boeheim’s leading scorers, has been ruled out indefinitely after being ruled ineligible with academic issues.
Exactly what Southerlands’ ‘issues’ are is not yet known. However, a source close to the situation reported that it is still uncertain whether or not he will even return to the team, according to CBSSports.com.
Southerland, at 6-foot-8 and 215 pounds, has earned increased minutes in each of his four seasons under Boeheim. The Bayside, New York native averaged only 7.5 minutes per game as a freshman, but was up to 26.3 as a starter in his fourth and final year thus far.
He has a well-earned reputation as a three-point sniper. In the Orange’s win over Arkansas earlier in the year, Southerland bagged nine of his 13 attempts from beyond the arc.
On the year, Southerland had been averaging 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.3 steals — a well-rounded stat line.
In his stead, Boeheim will turn to redshirt freshman Trevor Cooney to make shots from deep.
