Tyler Ennis was a point guard for Syracuse for one memorable season. Ennis was known as a playmaker coming out of prep school, and he had big shoes to fill, as he was the only point guard on the team and had to replace the talented Michael Carter-Williams.

Ennis was known for playing the game at his pace, a slow deliberate style with no turnovers. He could not be rushed, had a calm demeanor on the court, and quickly developed the reputation for being a clutch performer. Syracuse would have a lot of close games during Ennis career, and they would win a disproportionate number of them due to his ability to find the right player at the right time, or make the tough shot himself.

Syracuse would play Duke at the Carrier Dome in the first meeting of the two teams in ACC play. The game would go into overtime with the Orange winning in dramatic fashion. Ennis displayed all his trademark characteristics in the game. During the last five minutes of the game and the overtime period, Ennis would score eight points on one field goal, hitting six out of six free throws, dishing out 3 assists and having no turnovers.

Syracuse was 23-0 when it played Pitt down at Pederson Field House. Pitt led 54-53 when Ennis was fouled with ten seconds left on the clock. Ennis drained both free throws, using his typical style where he did not look at the basket until right before he took the shot. The Orange would have their first lead of the second half 55-54. Pitt would retake the lead 56-55 when Talib Zanna was fouled, and he made both his free throws.

Syracuse inbounded the ball to Tyler Ennis. The play was designed to go to Fair, but he was well guarded, so Ennis drove down the right side of the court. Pitt double teamed Ennis, but he was able to get between the two defenders and make a 35 foot three point shot as the buzzer expired! The Orange would win 58-56 and move to 24-0.

Syracuse would eventually lose, snapping their streak at 25, when the struggled against Boston College. The Orange struggled down the stretch of the season, with the team unable to make the shots they needed, despite the fact Ennis was getting the ball to the right players.

The Orange would face Dayton in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament, and the Flyers held a two point lead. Syracuse had a chance to win the game at the buzzer with Ennis taking a three point shot. All season long Ennis had made the shot they needed, but this time it did not fall, and the Orange lost.

Ennis would earn recognition on the All-ACC Second Team and the All-ACC Rookie Team.

Ennis would declare early for the NBA draft, and would be selected in the first round with the 18th overall pick by the Phoenix Suns. He would be traded mid season to the Milwaukee Bucks, after only playing eight games for Phoenix. He was traded to the Houston Rockets prior to the 2016-17 season, and traded mid-season that year to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Ennis would be unsigned by the NBA in 2018, and would choose to play in the Turkish league.

© RLYoung 2013-2018