The first few weeks of the transfer portal being open have made it pretty clear how I think Adrian Autry and his staff need to attack it. I don’t think the Orange should put a lot of money towards a true center. I also think that this team desperately needs to focus on star power and not depth. That all come down to and culminates with the main idea that the ‘Cuse needs to find a star guard to put next to JJ Starling.
Jaquan Carlos didn’t have what Syracuse needed last year. At just 6’0, he wasn’t fast, big or long enough to be an impactful defender. The point guard also didn’t score and wasn’t a threat to shoot from behind the arc. It’s unfortunate but Carlos just didn’t do anything to elevate JJ Starling.
With Starling already announcing he’s back for next season, Autry needs to find someone who can fit beside him. What the ‘Cuse need to look for is someone with more size and athleticism. At 6’4, Starling is a bit undersized as a 2. He doesn’t even play as big as his size at times. The guard isn’t a consistent rebounder. Whoever is next to JJ, next to be able to crash the glass and push the floor.
While he isn’t in the portal yet, a name to keep an eye on is USC’s Desmond Claude. Of course, you can’t bank on a player who hasn’t left yet leaving, but Claude has been rumored to be on his way out recently. Claude is 6’6, and averaged 16/3.8/2.8 last season with the Trojans. Claude may not be a shooter, but he is a true athlete when can defend 1-5. Alongside Starling, it would be a lethal 1-2 punch that if paired with shooting, can be unstoppable on offense. What’s maybe most intriguing about the guard is that he’s a Syracuse native. In fact, his mother Paula played for the Syracuse Women’s team.
