Syracuse pauses basketball after Boeheim’s positive COVID-19 test

FILE – Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim waves before the team’s NCAA college basketball game against Duke in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Nick Lisi)

Syracuse men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim has tested positive for COVID-19, he announced on social media on Sunday afternoon.

Because of that, and another positive test within the program, Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack said the school would be pausing all team activities. Wildhack did not name the other individual who tested positive.

“Per our COVID safety protocols, following (Boeheim’s) positive test we conducted an additional round of testing for all members of the basketball program. From that testing we learned that one other member of the program has tested positive. As such, we made the decision to pause all basketball-related activities,” Wildhack said in a released statement.

“We are following all CDC guidelines and ACC protocols, and working closely with the Onondaga County Department of Health, to mitigate further transmission of the virus. All members of the basketball program will be tested again, multiple times, over the next week,” he added.

Boeheim, 75, has been the head coach at Syracuse since 1976 and owns 964 career victories. He’s helped guide the program to five Final Four berths (1987, ‘96, 2003, ‘13, ‘16) in the NCAA Tournament.

The coach said he’s currently asymptomatic.

“Following our most recent testing, I was informed that I tested positive for COVID-19. I immediately began my isolation period at home,” Boeheim said in a released statement. “I am not experiencing any symptoms at this time, and will continue to monitor my health closely as advised by the medical staff.”

Syracuse is schedule to open the 2020-21 season on Nov. 27 against visiting Bryant in a nonconference contest. Further positive tests could force that game off the schedule.