SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Dion Waiters was nearly kicked off the Syracuse Orange. He considered transferring to another high-major program where he could crack the starting lineup. In his two seasons of college, he nearly quit … five or six times. Once, during his freshman season, he told coach Jim Boeheim he planned to transfer. Boeheim was unfazed. Waiters could if he wanted.



Call it tough love. At least that’s how Waiters references his clashes with Boeheim, who didn’t start the guard in his two seasons at Syracuse. Yet as Waiters became an elite sixth man, an unlikely friendship grew out of their disagreements. Waiters and Boeheim formed a strong relationship after the turbulence. Maybe because of it.



Waiters, a Syracuse guard from 2010 to 2012, arrived at the Carrier Dome around halftime of Syracuse’s 89-67 win over Seattle on Saturday night. He sat next to the Orange bench, next to Boeheim, the man whose guidance could go a long way at this...