Joseph Girard III Makes His College Commitment

The most accomplished scorer in New York state history is staying in New York state. On Sunday night, Joseph Girard III made his long-awaited commitment to play college basketball at the high Division I level.

No one has scored more points in the history of New York basketball than the Glens Falls guard and that is a status Girard gained as a junior. He is a sniper from 3-point range and he has developed an off-the-dribble game that makes him a nightmare for defenders keying in on that outside shot.

Some of the most obvious comparisons will be made to Gerry McNamara, but those are lofty expectations to put on Girard. G-Mac was underrecruited, but he won a National Championship in his time at Syracuse and was a huge part in beating Kansas his freshman season alongside fellow frosh Carmelo Anthony.

Girard's decision came down to a couple of different factors: playing time and driving distance. In many people's minds, that left Syracuse and Boston College. Playing time would be more abundant at BC, but the ability to play in the NCAA Tournament would be more consistent with the Cuse.

I'm not from the Capital Region, but I can imagine most everyone who has grown up in this area playing basketball has dreamed, at some point, of playing for Syracuse. If that was Joseph Girard III's dream, he has now realized it.

At the Queensbury Hotel on Sunday night, all the suspense was relieved as Girard picked up and proudly donned a Syracuse hat. New York's all-time leading scorer headed into his senior season at Glens Falls will wear orange for the next four years.