In a long-overdue moment of recognition, two Syracuse basketball legends from the pre-Boeheim era are finally getting their due. Rudy Hackett and Jim Lee - key figures in the Orange’s historic rise to national prominence - will have their numbers lifted to the rafters of the JMA Wireless Dome this coming February, during Syracuse’s home game against North Carolina.
If you know Syracuse hoops history, you know the 1974-75 season was a turning point. That was the year the Orange reached their first-ever NCAA Final Four, and Hackett and Lee were the heartbeat of that squad. Now, nearly five decades later, their contributions are being immortalized where they belong - above the court they helped put on the national map.
Rudy Hackett: The Backbone of the Frontcourt
Wearing No. 45, Rudy Hackett was a force in the paint from the moment he stepped on the court in 1972.
Over three seasons, he averaged 17.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game - a stat line that speaks to his all-around dominance. But his senior year in 1974-75?
That was something special.
Hackett turned in a second-team All-American campaign that season, averaging 22.2 points and 12.7 rebounds while shooting a blistering 58% from the field. He wasn’t just putting up numbers - he was anchoring a team that went all the way to the Final Four and finished the year ranked No. 6 in the country.
By the time his Syracuse career wrapped, Hackett had become the 14th player in program history to eclipse 1,000 points. He still sits 26th on the school’s all-time scoring list - a testament to both his consistency and impact during a transformative era for the program.
Jim Lee: The Steady Hand in the Backcourt
Alongside Hackett was Jim Lee, the savvy No. 10 guard who brought poise, scoring, and leadership to the Orange backcourt. Lee averaged 13.4 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game during his Syracuse career, and he was the team’s assists leader twice in that span. He also joined the 1,000-point club and still holds one of the best free-throw percentages in school history - fourth all-time, to be exact.
Lee wasn’t flashy, but he was clutch - the kind of guard who made the right pass, hit the big shot, and kept the offense humming. His steady presence was a perfect complement to Hackett’s interior dominance, and together they formed one of the most balanced duos in Syracuse history.
A Legacy Cemented
From 1972 to 1975, under head coach Roy Danforth, Hackett and Lee helped guide Syracuse to a 66-21 record, including a pair of 23-win seasons. The Orange made the NCAA Tournament all three years, culminating in that magical Final Four run in ‘75. That team didn’t just win games - it set the foundation for what Syracuse basketball would become in the decades that followed.
After college, both players had brief stints in the pros. Hackett was drafted by the New Orleans Jazz in 1975 and went on to play in the ABA for the Spirits of St.
Louis, New York Nets, and Indiana Pacers before continuing his career overseas. Lee was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers and later signed with the ABA’s San Antonio Spurs.
Now, their numbers will hang permanently in the Dome - a fitting tribute to two players who helped elevate Syracuse basketball to the national stage.
Mark Your Calendar
The jersey retirement ceremony is set for Saturday, February 21, during Syracuse’s home matchup against North Carolina. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
EST. It’s sure to be a day full of memories, celebration, and a long-overdue salute to two Orange icons.
As Syracuse Director of Athletics John Wildhack put it: “Hackett and Lee are two of the greatest and most important players in the history of Syracuse Basketball. They were the leaders of our first Final Four team in 1975. They are deserving of joining our other great players whose jerseys are displayed in the JMA Wireless Dome.”
No arguments here. Their legacy speaks for itself - and soon, so will the rafters.