I wrote two weeks ago on how guard Lucas Taylor could be a great addition to head coach Adrian Autry’s squad. Well, its been two weeks, and Autry has done it again. This time adding another key piece to SU’s squad through the transfer portal in the form of Taylor. Taylor is a high octane guard out of Georgia State, and joins guard Jaquan Carlos, forward Jyare Davis and center Eddie Lampkin Jr. as the fourth transfer this offseason for the Orange. So what made Taylor so effective at Georgia State, and how will he slot into SU’s lineup? Let’s look into all these questions and more.
Taylor’s College Career
Taylor originally spent his first two seasons in the ACC down at Wake Forest, before transferring to Georgia State after his sophomore season. He played in 15 games for the Demon Deacons, only getting around three minutes per contest. After a slow start, Taylor saw more time at Wake in his sophomore year averaging around 11 minutes in the 12 games that he played. A lack of playing time along with not being a key role player factored into the decision for him to leave Wake. That decision turned out to be a good one, as Taylor became a star player for the panthers. He lead the team with 14.5 points a game in 31 contests this past season. One stat that stood out amongst the North Carolina natives consistent scoring, was a 35% clip from the three point line. That above average three point shooting is something that SU desperately needs heading into 2025. All of Taylor’s experience around the country sets him up to have an immediate impact in the 315 next season.
Will Taylor crack the starting five?
With all of these new transfers, there is a huge traffic jam for minutes heading into next year in Syracuse. Davis, Lampkin, Carlos and Taylor all averaged above ten points respectively this past season. If you just take those four alone and then add in five star recruit Donnie Freeman, there’s no room left. On top of that, you can’t forget about returners JJ Starling and Chris Bell. Realistically, Carlos will copy the role that Quadir Copeland filled this year for the Orange coming off the bench. But, that still leaves out one of Bell, Lampkin, Starling, Freeman, Taylor, or Davis. While this is a great problem for Autry to have heading into next season, there are still lots of questions surrounding who will get playing time with the addition of Taylor. Only time will tell who see’s the court. Regardless, SU is set up in a great position for the upcoming campaign.
