The Syracuse Orange Men’s Basketball program has seen many "what-ifs" venture out of the university after originally making a commitment to the program.
Since 2020, the Orange have seen losses in every position on the floor, including starters and key bench performers.
Aiding in the ease of switching schools, the NCAA transfer portal came to be on October 15, 2018, as a tool that allows student-athletes to move more freely from one school to another, having more control over their future. In 2021, the NCAA did away with the "year of residency", which refers to a student-athlete having to sit out their first year at the school they transferred to, for men's and women's basketball, football, baseball, and men's hockey.
From the portal's institution, Syracuse men's basketball has seen many names that were supposed to be a part of their future instead fade away into only thoughts of what could have been.
In 2020, guard Jalen Carey transferred to the Rhode Island Rams, guard Brycen Goodine would head to the Providence Friars, and guard Howard Washington, Jr., committed to the South Alabama Jaguars.
In 2021, guard Kadary Richmond transferred to the Seton Hall Pirates, forward Woody Newton to the Oklahoma State Sooners, forward Quincy Guerrier to the Oregon Ducks, and forward Robert Braswell to the Charlotte 49ers.
In 2022, center Frank Anselem left for the Georgia Bulldogs.
In 2023, guard Joseph Girard, III, decided to use his extra season of eligibility that came from being in college during the "Covid Year" of 2020-21 by transferring to the Clemson Tigers. Center Jesse Edwards utilized his "Covid Year" by heading to the West Virginia Mountaineers. Guard Symir Torrence would transfer to the Binghamton Bearcats with the "Coud Year" fifth-season opportunity he had.
Now, in 2024, guard Justin Taylor, guard Quadir Copeland, forward Maliq Brown, and center Peter Carey have all decided to end their time at Syracuse, each placing their names in the transfer portal. Forward Benny Williams is also in the portal following his in-season dismissal from the team.
Though the Orange have also gained from the portal and the ending of the "year in residency", with additions like guard J.J. Starling from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, forward Cole Swider from the Villanova Wildcats, forward Jimmy Boeheim from the Cornell Big Red, and the aforementioned Torrence from the Marquette Golden Eagles, there have been more student-athletes on the highway out of Syracuse University than there have been coming off of the exit ramp in.
It is now more crucial than ever for Syracuse to identify not only talented student-athletes, in and out of the classroom, but also to fine-tooth comb through the lot to find those who truly love the program and are seeking long-term team success over simply focusing on short-term personal wants.
The search is on...