Manny Breland, a basketball talent from Central High School, became one of the first African-American scholarship players at Syracuse University. At Central, the 6-foot-3 guard was a four-time All-City pick from 1949 to 1952. Breland starred at SU and was the freshman team’s leading scorer.

In 1957, Breland helped carry SU to the NCAA East Regional final. He led the Orangemen in scoring the first two games of the tournament. He scored 538 career points at SU and played along side the great Jim Brown in the mid-1950s.

Breland went on to become a school teacher and administrator in Syracuse. He also coached at his alma mater where he guided Central to a pair of Section Three titles in 1968 and 1971.

A member of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame board of directors, Breland retired in 1991 after 31 years of service in Syracuse School District.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1949-1952: Played on Central High School basketball team, first-team All-City each year

1952-1956: Attended Syracuse University on a basketball scholarship. Team’s leading scorer his freshman year

1960: Starting his teaching career at Madison Junior High

1967-1971: Head basketball coach at Central High School; Won Section Three titles in 1968 and 1971

1968: Served on Police Department Community Relations Division under Chief John O’Connor

1975: Vice-Principal at Fowler High School

1977: Co-Principal at Fowler High School

2005: Received the Fighting Spirit Award from the American Cancer Society