Undrafted by the NBA, Devendorf Says He's Ready to Sign to Play in Israel

Feisty Guard Gets Support From Syracuse Fans in his Quest to Go Big Time

November 12, 2009
By: Dave Rogers

Dead-eye three-point shooter Eric Devendorf, who left Syracuse University a year early to declare for the pro draft in the United States, is planning to play on a pro team in Israel.

Generally considered the best player ever produced by Bay City, Devendorf, 22, has had a checkered career with trouble on and off the court. He makes headlines because of his brilliant but erratic play and sometimes feisty attitude but "the kid can shoot" says one local cage expert.

Third on the Syracuse all-time three-point accuracy meter, Devo was interviewed at a game Wednesday night in which the Orange beat tiny, out-gunned Robert Morris University 100-60.

Before the game, Devendorf, who left Syracuse after last season, chatted with the players and coaches while tending his daughter Madelyn, 1.

Orange bloggers were critical of the NBA for not at least giving Devo a chance to play in the summer league and qualify for the development league. Some felt off the court and "trash talking" issues may have prompted the league to avoid bringing Devo aboard. Several gave him a cheer and opined that he will eventually make the big time.

Devendorf said he is weighing several offers and expects to sign with a professional basketball team in Israel shortly. There was no indication which teams he was considering.

He is reportedly about to get married to the mother of his child before leaving for overseas.

Devendorf went undrafted in both the NBA and NBDL drafts. The NBDL (National Basketball Developmental League) is the official minor league of the NBA.

Devendorf ranks 14th on Syracuse's career scoring list and third in career three-pointers. As a freshman for the Orange he had a 37.6 percent three-point percentage.

Professional basketball in Israel is dominated by Maccabi "Elite" Tel Aviv based in Tel Aviv, Israel. It is part of the Maccabi Tel Aviv sports club, and their main sponsors since 1969 have been the Elite confections company.

The Tel Aviv club has won 45 national championship titles (including 23 in a row between 1970 and 1992) and 35 national cups. Maccabi is also among Europe's best basketball teams, having won the European cup 5 times since 1977, and finishing second 6 other times.

Other pro teams include Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem, Bnei HaSharon, Hapoel Galil Elyon and several others, Maccabi Tel Aviv's is by far the largest, and except for a few hard-core fans of other clubs, almost every Israeli identifies with Maccabi during international competition as representing them. The club became something like second national team, and much more successful than the official one.

Devendorf, a 6-4, 180, guard, left Bay City Central High to attend a basketball prep school, Oak Hill Academy (Va.), one of the nation's top prep teams. At Central as a junior, he averaged 30.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Devendorf set the school career scoring record in just three seasons at Central.

He played AAU basketball for the Michigan Hurricanes, and was invited to compete for the 2004 USA North Team in the USA Youth Development Festival.

Devendorf was ranked 16th in the class of 2005 by Rivals.com and 18th by Hoopmasters.com. His shooting guard rankings include fourth by The Insiders Hoops and sixth by Rivals.com.

Devendorf formerly lived with his parents, Curt and Cindy, both employees of Saginaw County, on Seventh Street in Bay City.

He is one of a handful of Bay City lads who have gotten bids to play Division I university basketball, according to former Central cage coach Art Nixon.

The first was Artie Lipan, a St. James product who played for Temple University in the 1920s and later became an executive with the 7-Up Company.

Next was Milt Mead, a 6-11 Central High stalwart and University of Michigan basketball and track star in the 1950s.

Then 7-foot Tom Pacynski, a high school All American from St. Mary, played for Coach Bob Cousy at Boston College in the early 1960s.

Last known Division I male college hoop stars from Bay City were All Saints stars Mark Talaga, who played for Coach Gus Ganakas at Michigan State, and Billy Harris, a cager at Eastern Michigan University in the 1970s. ###