One day after finishing his official visit to the Salt City, Duquesne transfer Mounir Hima has chosen Syracuse over 15+ other prospective schools. Hima averaged two points and three rebounds on 43% from the field in a reserved center role with the Dukes. The 6’11, native of Niger, played 21 games, and although his minutes were sparse to open up the season, Hima tallied 20 minutes per contest in the final six regular season games of the year.
For many Orange fans, this is a sigh of relief following the inability to land class of 2022 recruits at the center position such as Donovan Clingan and Kyle Filipowski. Plus, Syracuse’s failed attempt to bring Florida State transfer Quincy Ballard back home and keep backup center Frank Anselem (who left for Georgia) on their roster.
It is important to note that Hima enters the 315 with three years of eligibility after most likely accepting a role behind future senior Jesse Edwards. Also, the former Duquesne Duke has to dual with three-star commit Peter Carey for backup minutes at the center position, even though the Niger native weighs a hefty 240 pounds, which is 50 pounds heavier than the incoming freshman.
With all that being said, Edwards will control the starting minutes and unless Jim Boeheim chooses to play small ball, Hima’s role could grow as the season progresses, due to his size and build, a necessity come ACC play. Time will tell how Boeheim and company spin this three-sided wheel at the “5” spot, but the ultimate positive is that the Orange have depth and more options at a position in which they lacked both of just days ago.
