Bermuda born basketball player David Patrick is hoping to make his mark as a member of the Syracuse University men's team.

Patrick, a freshman, is being brought along slowly by head coach Jim Boeheim as indicated by his limited minutes during the Orangemen's opening four contests.

The five foot, 11 inch, super quick point guard has so far averaged 13.3 minutes per game and 2.8 points a game on 33 percent shooting -- three-for-nine -- as a back-up to starter Lazarus Sims .

So far he has tallied 11 assists but, according to the coach, needs to work at protecting the ball, as he has also committed six turnovers for the unbeaten Orangemen who are 4-0 overall, 2-0 in Big East Conference.

Patrick's best outing to date came during an 87-63 triumph over Lafayette when he scored five points, dished out three assists and claimed three rebounds.

Other victims of unranked Syracuse have included Colgate (89-55), Providence (82-78) and St. John's (97-72). Their next outing is set for tonight when Columbia are their opponents.

Born in Flatts and raised in Bermuda before emigrating to Australia a decade ago at the age of nine, the 19-year-old ran up stellar numbers Down Under and was a member of the Australian Junior National team.

He continued to post impressive statistics as a one-year letter-winner at Chapel Trafton Academy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, averaging 28.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.5 assists and was named the team's most valuable player and captain, as well as being selected for the Louisiana State All-Star game.

Born on February 21, 1976, the son of Icean and Vicki Patrick, David was signed by Syracuse during the late signing period this year and is currently enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Since his enrollment he has been extensively featured in the school's basketball programme publication as well as the school newspaper, The Big Orange .

Coach Boeheim has high hopes for Patrick, who fashions himself after another short, speedy guard, Kevin Johnson, of the National Basketball Association's Phoenix Suns.

"We have a lot of confidence in David Patrick,'' Boeheim was quoted as saying in The Big Orange . "He'll surprise a lot of people.'' For the moment, though, Patrick is forced to bide his time on the bench until he can get adequate minutes to make a deeper impression.

DAVID PATRICK -- making his mark with the unbeaten Syracuse University basketball team.