Syracuse has long established a proud tradition of producing talented basketball players who go on to make a mark in the NBA. To date, more than 50 former Orange players have featured in the NBA, with four former Syracuse players standing out in the 2023/24 season, earning admiration from fans, journalists, TV broadcasters, and sports betting sites across the globe.
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With that said, let’s take a look at the current NBA players from Syracuse, highlighting their journeys, current teams, positions, and statistics.
Buddy Boeheim
Buddy Boeheim, son of legendary Hall-of-Fame Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, has followed in his father’s footsteps, making a name for himself in the pros. He memorably played for Syracuse from 2018 to 2022, averaging 15.3 points as a sophomore. As a junior, he averaged 17.8 points and 2.6 assists per game, shooting 38.3 percent from the three-point range. Buddy went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft but secured a spot with the Detroit Pistons on a two-way contract. As a shooting guard, Buddy is known for his three-point shooting ability and he has shown glimpses of his talent as he adapts to the pace and physicality of the NBA. In the 2023/24 season, he has played 10 games for the Pistons, averaging 8.4 minutes, 3.40 points, 1.00 rebounds, 0.30 assists, and a 3.00 assist-to-turnover ratio per game.
Oshae Brissett
Oshae Brissett also began his career at Syracuse. A versatile player, Brissett can play as a power forward or a small forward. Brissett played for Syracuse from 2017 to 2019. In 37 games in his freshman season, he averaged 14.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. In 34 games in 2018 in his sophomore season, Brissett averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game before declaring for the NBA Draft. He went undrafted before joining the Toronto Raptors the following year. Brissett later moved to Indiana Pacers where he played for three seasons before signing with the Bolton Celtics. In the 2023/24 season, he played in 55 games, averaging 11.5 minutes, 3.70 points, 2.91 rebounds, 0.80 assists, and a 2.20 assist-to-turnover ratio per game. Today, he would be one of the rare former Orange players in the last 44 years who could appear in the NBA Finals.
Jerami Grant
Jerami Grant is one of the most well-known Syracuse alumni currently in the NBA. He played for Syracuse during the 2012-2014 seasons, averaging 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 31.4 minutes per game in 2013/14 while scoring double figures in 24 of 32 games. He was drafted 39th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014 NBA Draft. In his professional career, Grant has played for multiple teams, including Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Detroit Pistons. He is currently with the Portland Trail Blazers. As a forward, he is known for his defensive skills and scoring ability. This season, Grant has played in 54 games, averaging 33.9 minutes, 21 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, establishing him as a key player for the Trail Blazers.
Cole Swider
Cole Swider attended Syracuse University for his senior year after transferring from Villanova. He played power forward at SU, averaging 13.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Swider went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft but was picked up by the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-way contract. In 2023 he signed for Miami Heat and has spent featured for Heat and their G League affiliate, Sioux Falls Skyforce. For the Miami Heat, Swider has played 18 games in the 2023/24 season, averaging 4.8 minutes, 2.3 games, 0.4 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game.
These players embody the discipline, hard work, and determination that Syracuse instills in its athletes, making significant contributions to their respective NBA teams. The legacy of Syracuse basketball continues to shine through these talented individuals.
