Syracuse forward Maliq Brown has entered the transfer portal, per On3.com. The sophomore averaged 9.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. Brown started three-quarters of the season when center Naheem McLeod got injured. Brown’s minutes ticked up from the mid-20s to the mid-30s and even 40 by the end of the year.
The improvement and grit that Brown displayed after the new year was unmatched. With McLeod’s season-ending injury, Brown slid into a position that forced him to cover the opponent’s tallest player
He took this challenge to heart, and showed he cared night in and night out. He enjoyed playing with a certain energy and attitude, despite doubts that a 6-foot-8 forward could defend North Carolina center Armando Bacot, who stands at 6-foot-11.
Brown held his ground against some of the top-tier ACC teams. The Culpeper, VA native scored 26 posted against Duke in early January. Brown also posted 12 points and 11 rebounds against Clemson in the final game of the year.
Brown will be missed at SU after a breakout second season. His presence and young leadership on the floor was valuable, even with 6-foot-9 Syracuse commit Donnie Freeman emerging as a replacement.
Freeman is a five-star power forward from IMG Academy. Orange fans are excited for him to make his way to the Dome.
Aside from Brown, multiple players from last season have also entered the transfer portal.
Justin Taylor, Quadir Copeland, and Peter Carey are looking elsewhere.
A lot of questions remain unanswered at the start of the offseason about who could replace who and in what positions.
Head coach Adrian Autry and staff have their hands full to build on their best season since 2018. Plus, Autry has to fill an assistant coaching spot with the departure of Gerry McNamara.
It should be an interesting offseason to say the least.
