Glens Falls High officially retires number of New York’s all-time leading scorer

Joe Girard III scored 4,763 points in high school to set the all-time high school mark in the state of New York before going on to star in the ACC at both Syracuse and Clemson

Glen Falls High grad Joe Girard III, New York State's all-time leading scorer, had his high school jersey retired during a ceremony at the school over the weekend. / Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Glens Falls High School officially retired the number of Joe Girard III, New York State’s all-time leading scorer in boys basketball, in a ceremony over the weekend.

Before the Black Bears faced off against South Glens Falls on Friday, Girard had his No. 11 retired and mounted in Glens Falls HS gymnasium.

Joseph Girard III had one of the greatest high school basketball careers, leading Glens Falls to it's first state title in 2019. Now playing professionally in Lithuania, Girard returned to Glens Falls to see his No. 11 jersey retired. @JG3_____ @GlensFallsCSD @GFSDathletics pic.twitter.com/Yp4ysf6pV3

— Chrystal Stone (@chrystalstone_) February 15, 2025

Girard finished with 4,763 career points. He became the state’s all-time leading scorer in his junior season for the Black Bears.

The record was previously held by former NBA standout and Brooklyn native Lance Stephenson, who compiled 2,946 career points.

A graduate of Glens Falls High School in 2019, Girard made a school-record 688 3-pointers and averaged 39.4 points-per-game in his four-year varsity career.

11 Is In The Rafters, Something I Only Thought I’d Dream Of Saying! I’m So Honored & Proud To Represent Glens Falls & Appreciate Everyone Who Made This Happen! #BeDifferent 🙏🏻

GF NATION, Forever & Always #11 ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/IwWXKOtwYT

— Joseph Girard III (@JG3_____) February 15, 2025

Girard’s accomplishments with the Black Bears led to him being named the Mr. New York Basketball in 2019, and Gatorade Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019.

He capped his senior campaign by guiding the Black Bears to their first Class B state and federation titles.

Girard, a three-star recruit, played for Division I’s Syracuse and Clemson. He is currently playing point guard overseas for Nevėžis Kėdainiai of the Lithuanian Basketball League.

The Black Bears, ranked third in High School on SI’s latest New York State high school boys basketball rankings, won 103-39 over South Glens Falls on Friday.