Forward Chris Bell and guard JJ Starling are officially returning to SU for the 2024-25 season. Both players were expected to return but never announced anything until the last few days. With both sophomores returning for their junior year, head coach Adrian Autry can start to create his starting five. So, what is Syracuse’s most likely starting squad next season?
PG-JJ Starling
With the Baldwinsville native back in the rotation for SU, there is no doubt he will be in the starting five. Guard Judah Mintz’s departure leaves the starting point guard spot wide open, and there is nobody more prepared to take over the starting role than Starling. The guard averaged 13 points this season, shooting 45 percent from the field. The sophomore is bound to have another productive year with the spotlight fully on him.
SG-Chris Bell
Bell was one of the best three-point shooters on the squad this year. Even though he is traditionally slotted in as a forward, there is simply too much talent up and down the squad for Bell to play as a small or power forward. This forces the California native into the shooting guard role, one that he has a chance to thrive in. Bell averaged 12 points a game last year, but more importantly, shot 42% from three. Watch out for that number to grow this year.
C-Eddie Lampkin Jr.
The center spot is Lampkin’s to lose. The former Colorado Buffalo averaged 10.6 points a game last season, with seven rebounds per game. While we haven’t seen him don an Orange uniform just yet, Lampkin has the chance to transform SU’s offense from the top down. Syracuse had a negative rebound margin last year, but with the senior on the Orange’s squad, that number has a good shot to turn positive.
SF-Jyare Davis
The former Blue Hen has a great chance to crack the SU starting five this upcoming season. Davis averaged 17.1 points per game last year, which led Delaware. Now that he is officially with the ‘Cuse, that number must stay in double digits if he wants to stick within the starting five. The 6’7” forward has great potential, he just needs to show it in SU’s starting lineup this year.
PF-Donnie Freeman
Freeman is simply too talented to keep out of Syracuse’s starting five despite not playing a minute of college basketball in his career. Ranked the sixth overall prospect in ESPN’s top 100, Freeman has the chance to be a Carmelo Anthony type player in his time at SU. The DMV product is set to have immediate minutes in the 315. It’s purely up to his play on the court if he will stay in that starting five, or be replaced by more experienced options.
