The jersey of former basketball standout John Wallace (#44) will join the most significant numbers in Syracuse hoop history when it is officially retired in a ceremony scheduled for Saturday, February 29, 2020, in the Dome. The Orange host ACC rival North Carolina that day.John Wallace is one of the great all around players in Syracuse history," said Syracuse Director of Athletics. "He is our third all-time scorer and rebounder and ranks ninth all-time in blocked shots. All Syracuse fans will remember John hitting the 3-pointer to beat Georgia in the Sweet 16 and leading the Orange to the Championship game in 1996. John deserves to be recognized among the greatest players in our storied history. "Wallace will join a group of 14 Syracuse players who have had their jerseys retired: Carmelo Anthony, Dave Bing, Roosevelt Bouie, Derrick Coleman, Sherman Douglas, Dennis DuVal, Billy Gabor, Vic Hanson, Lawrence Moten, Louis Orr, Billy Owens, Rony Seikaly, Wilmeth Sidat-Singh and Dwayne "Pearl" Washington."John was one of the most important recruits we signed during my time as head coach," said Coach. "He was a high-profile player from the Rochester area who had a great impact on our program. He is very deserving of this honor. John's jersey definitely fits with the others we have retired."A prep star at Greece Athena near Rochester, Wallace helped the Trojans to the 1992 New York State Class A championship. He earned All-American recognition from Converse, Dapper Dan, McDonald's, Parade and USA Today (third team) following his senior season. Wallace was the Gatorade State Player of the Year, Mr. Basketball in New York, and most valuable player in the 1992 state tournament.He jumped right into the 1992-93 Syracuse lineup and finished the campaign with freshman All-American honors from The Basketball Times and Basketball Weekly. Wallace was a BIG EAST Conference First-Team All-Rookie selection. The Orange were 20-9.His sophomore year highlights included second-team All-BIG EAST laurels. Syracuse advanced to the "Sweet 16" round of the NCAA Tournament and completed the 1993-94 campaign with a 23-7 record.Wallace led the 1994-95 Orange edition in rebound average (8.2) while also contributing 16.8 points per outing. He picked up first-team All-BIG EAST Conference notice. The Orange were 20-10 and back in the NCAA Tournament.Wallace's top collegiate campaign was his last, in 1995-96. He helped lead the Orange to the NCAA Championship game while averaging 22.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Wallace was a second-team All-American and earned first-team All-BIG EAST Conference honors for the second straight year. He set a Syracuse record for season points (845) and completed his collegiate career ranked third in scoring (2,119 points) and rebounding (1,065 boards).Wallace was selected 18overall in the 1996 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. He played seven seasons in the NBA for five different teams – New York, Toronto, Detroit, Phoenix and Miami. Wallace's most productive statistical season came in 1997-98 when he averaged 14.0 points and 4.5 rebounds for the Raptors.4: Rony Seikaly (January 13, 2007)8: Vic Hanson (December 19, 1981)15: Carmelo Anthony (February 23, 2013)17: Billy Gabor(March 1, 2009)19: Wilmeth Sidat-Singh (February 26, 2005)20: Sherman Douglas (March 9, 2003)21: Lawrence Moten (March 3, 2018)22: Dave Bing (December 19, 198122: Dennis DuVal (January 6, 2018)30: Billy Owens (March 8, 2008)31: Dwayne "Pearl" Washington (March 2, 1996)44: Derrick Coleman (March 6, 2006)44: John Wallace (February 29, 2020)50: Roosevelt Bouie (February 21, 2015)55: Louis Orr (February 21, 2015)