Joe Girard was a guard for Syracuse basketball. He was known for his perimeter shooting prowess.

Girard was one of the most accomplished high school athletes in New York state history. He set the New York State high school career scoring record with 4,763 points. He played varsity basketball starting in eighth grade, and his point total includes all five years. He scored 4,329 points from ninth grade through his senior season. [1] It is believed he had the ninth most career points for a high school student, across the country. Girard led his high school to a Class B state basketball championship his senior year, and Class B state championships in basketball his sophomore and senior years.

Girard started the season as the top reserve for the Orange. Sophomore Jalen Carey would struggle at the point guard position, and after two games coach Jim Boeheim moved Girard to the starting point guard position; he would remain their the rest of the year. Girard would promptly respond with a 24 point night against Seattle, making seven of eight shots for 24 points, along with five assists. Girard would have an inconsistent season, but showed that he could score. He would have a season high 30 points against North Carolina State in a February loss. Girard would lead the team in assists, and was third in scoring.

Girard would struggle with consistency his sophomore season, having a few big scoring games mixed with low scoring games. He did contract Covid-19, which added to conditioning problems for him. Girard started every game but split the point guard responsibilites with freshman Kadary Richmond.

Girard would continue to improve at the point guard position his junior year. He was the beneficiary of the addition of Cole Swider to the line up, as Swider and Buddy Boeheim drew defensive attention, and gave Girard cleaner looks at the basket. As such, Girard led the Orange in three point baskets, barely edging out Boeheim for that honor. He also shot at a healthy clip of 40.3% from the perimeter.

Girard was able to move from point guard to his natural position of shooting guard for his senior season. The Orange lacked scoring options and Girard often ended up with the top perimeter defenders on him. He would end up with inconsistent results on the season with some games being high scoring efficient games, and other games low scoring misses. Girard would score 20+ points ten times during the season, including a career high 31 over Richmond. He would lead the team in scoring with 16.4 points per game, as well as lead them in three point shots.

Girard transferred to Clemson as a grad transfer after his senior year. He would lead Clemson to a 77-68 win over the Orange in 2024 with 18 points on 4-5 threee point shooting, and another 90-75 win later that season with 21 points on 4-7 three point shooting. He would make an ACC record 67 consecutive free throws that year.

Girard's father Joe Girard Jr. was a star player for crosstown LeMoyne from 1991-1994.

© RLYoung 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

[1] Syracuse Post Standard, Chris Carlson, April 4, 2019