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Syracuse center Dajuan Coleman: ‘I feel like I’m ready to play’

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Dajuan Coleman hasn’t played a college game since Jan. 7, 2014, suffering a season-ending knee injury against Virginia Tech. Over a year later, Jim Boeheim announced that Coleman would redshirt the 2014-15 season, as he continued to rehab.

Entering this season, one of the main storylines for the Orange will be the status of the 6-foot-9 big man, especially with Rakeem Christmas and Chris McCullough in the NBA. Donna Ditota of the Post-Standard caught up with the rising junior center earlier this week, to update his recovery.

DC: 100 percent, yeah. Ready to go. I’m basing that on what I feel now.

DD: And what do you think you can contribute this season?

DC: Being one of the older guys — I’ll be a senior in the classroom, but a junior on the court — I’m going to be a leader. And definitely just being a low-post presence, rebounding and just being a hard worker.


Coleman’s health might not be the only key for the Orange next season. Syracuse will also need stable point guard play, which could result in senior Michael Gbinije sliding into the starting roleplaying alongside fellow fifth-year senior Trevor Cooney.

Through 37 games in his college career, Coleman is averaging 4.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

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