Syracuse has already been highly active in the transfer portal, adding shooting guard Gavin Doty and forward/center Tasman Goodrick from Siena, both following their head coach, as well as Slovenian shooting guard Mark Morano Mahmutovic.
The program has also confirmed it will retain both Sadiq White and Kiyan Anthony. Beyond those pieces, however, the roster remains largely unsettled. With much of the team having entered the transfer portal and no incoming freshmen currently committed, there is still
significant work to be done to round out the roster.
And there are still plenty of players available in the transfer portal, so here are seven names who could be a great fit for Syracuse if the Orange signed them:
Ace Glass – Sophomore Guard, Washington State
Ace Glass feels like a really natural fit for Syracuse because he’s simply a bucket, and not just in spurts, but consistently. He shot an impressive 44% from three on high volume last season, which would immediately help stretch the floor for a team that struggled with consistent shooting. But he’s not just a scorer, he also averaged 2.3 steals per game, showing he can be disruptive on defense too. He creates turnovers and turns them into quick offense, which fits what Syracuse needs stylistically. Even with some additions already, the Orange still need a go-to scorer with upside, and Glass checks that box in a big way.
Dai Dai Ames – Senior Guard, California
Ames fits in a lot of the same ways as Glass, just with a little less eligibility remaining. One thing that stands out, even if it’s a small sample size, is that he’s already had success in the Dome, as he dropped 23 points against Syracuse last season. On the season, he averaged 18.7 points per game with a really strong 58% true shooting percentage, which is especially impressive given how much he had the ball. He’s also really good in isolation, ranking near the top in points per possession, something Syracuse leaned on a lot last year but didn’t execute well. He can go get his own shot late in the clock, and he draws fouls at a high rate, which puts pressure on defenses. Overall, he feels like a guy who could step in and steady the offense right away.
Eric Reibe – Sophomore Center – UConn
Eric Reibe is coming off a run to the National Championship game, and while he wasn’t the featured star at UConn, he absolutely played a role. He appeared in 40 games, getting experience in some of the biggest, most intense moments of the season. That kind of exposure matters. What makes him especially appealing for Syracuse is his size. At 7’1”, 260 pounds, he’s a true presence in the paint, which is something the Orange really struggled to deal with against ACC bigs last year. He gives you that physical interior anchor. The move from UConn wouldn’t take him far geographically, and with plenty of eligibility left, he’s the kind of player you can build around. With Souare and Diawara in the portal, Reibe could step in right away as the starting center to work in with Goodrick.
Allen Graves – Sophomore Forward – Santa Clara
Allen Graves would bring a really valuable mix of rebounding and interior scoring to Syracuse’s frontcourt. He’s the kind of player who can do a little bit of everything, score, clean up the glass, and protect the rim. He feels like a strong fit next to Sadiq White too, offering a bit more impact around the basket defensively, even if he’s not quite as versatile on the perimeter. He averaged 2.1 blocks per game and is not afraid to defend inside the paint. And offensively, he can flat-out score, his 30-point game against Washington State showed just how productive he can be. Overall, the fact that Graves is a 6’9” player that can just flat out score would give the Orange a much-needed boost on both ends.
Malik Mack – Senior Guard – Georgetown
Malik Mack is the kind of proven scorer that would make a lot of sense for Syracuse. He’s been there and done that, especially on big stages. Georgetown leaned on him heavily over the past two seasons, and he consistently delivered after transferring in from Harvard earlier in his career. He’s clearly comfortable in the Northeast, and it’s easy to see him fitting in at the Dome. What really stands out though, is his range as thoughout his career he has knocked down multiple threes per game from well beyond the arc, forcing defenses to pick him up early. But he’s not just a scorer. Mack has averaged over four assists in every season of his career, showing he can create for others too. As Syracuse moves on from Nait George, Mack feels like a natural fit to step into a similar role, only with improved decision-making, as his turnovers have steadily decreased over time.
Anthony Roy – Graduate Guard – Oklahoma State
This would definitely be more of an outside-the-box addition for Syracuse, but Anthony Roy could bring instant offense and much-needed perimeter shooting. He’s well-traveled, looking for his fifth team in five years, with stops at San Francisco, New Mexico State, Green Bay, and most recently Oklahoma State, but that experience has helped shape his game. He really produced last season, averaging just under 17 points per game while shooting 39% from three on high volume, which is a great mix of efficiency and production. He’s especially effective off the ball, thriving in catch-and-shoot situations. With his quick release and ability to heat up fast, Roy could give Syracuse a reliable scoring spark and help stabilize the offense.
Just some names that could fit in to this team. What players would you like to see on GMac’s squad next year that are either on or not on the list?
