Over at the Bleacher Report, Mike Mehta has a great article up about Jon Scheyer and whether the Duke Blue Devils should retire his number.
When you look at the numbers (and there are plenty of them), it almost seems like an easy decision. Scheyer is top-10 all-time at Duke in eight different categories, including minutes, scoring, free throw shooting, etc.
Most impressively Scheyer is the only Duke player to “record at least 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 250 3-pointers, and 200 steals in a career.”
Yet, Mehta lays out some important “criteria” to have one’s number retire.
The guidelines for having a player’s jersey retired in Cameron Indoor Stadium are stringent. The player must graduate from Duke and be recognized on a national level (Player of the Year, Defensive POY, hold an NCAA record, or earn All-American honors).
As Mehta later points out, Jon Scheyer was never Player of the Year or Defensive POY. He does not hold an NCAA record. Heck, he never even won ACC Player of the Year, finishing second this past year to Greivis Vasquez. He did however, earn 2nd team All-American and was a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award (for the nation’s best point guard).
There is no doubt Scheyer put together a solid resume at Duke. He started from day one as a freshman, checked his ego and took the bench in season two, then spent his last season and a half playing out of position.
While he was one of the nation’s top recruits coming out of high school (3rd rated SG), no one was calling him “NBA” talent. He got better each and every year and there is no doubt Duke doesn’t win a fourth national title without his production and leadership.
Yet, if I had to vote to retire his number, I’d have to say no.
Over the years, many great players have played in Cameron, but only 13 players have their jersey hanging from the rafters…names like Gminski, Dawkins, Ferry, Laettner, Hurley, Hill, Battier and Jason Williams.
Over time, after a few years have gone by and Jon dominates the Israel leagues, I might be able to include the name Scheyer into the group, but not yet. Maybe one day, but not right now.
