Syracuse basketball may have just landed one of the most unusual impact transfers in college basketball.
Now comes the obvious question:
Will Amarri Monroe actually be allowed to play?
According to one of the country’s leading reporters covering the legal chaos engulfing college athletics, Syracuse fans have good reason to feel optimistic.
Front Office Sports reporter Amanda Christovich appeared on Orange Nation and was asked directly about Monroe’s status following the recent federal court ruling that unexpectedly opened the door for certain athletes from the high school Class of 2022 to receive another season of eligibility.
Her assessment was encouraging.
“I think there’s probably a very good chance that he’s eligible,” Christovich said.
Monroe’s addition comes with circumstances unlike almost any normal transfer.
The reigning MAAC Player of the Year had already played four college seasons and appeared to have exhausted his eligibility. Then a federal judge’s preliminary injunction suddenly gave potentially thousands of athletes another opportunity to compete.
The NCAA has appealed the decision, creating uncertainty about whether the ruling will survive.
But Monroe appears to be particularly well-positioned.
He was already in the transfer portal, meaning Syracuse doesn’t have to test the NCAA’s controversial “ghost transfer” restrictions. The hosts also noted Monroe is 23 years old, and Syracuse apparently had the necessary roster opening to add him.
“As long as Syracuse had an open roster spot, like he’s eligible,” Christovich said. “So, unless this court ruling gets overturned, he should be just fine.”
Then came perhaps the most important part.
Christovich doesn’t believe an appeal is likely to eliminate Monroe’s opportunity.
“I think it’s going to be hard to overturn this court ruling,” she said. “Not impossible, but unlikely.”
Nothing is completely settled yet. College athletics has become increasingly dependent on court decisions, appeals and NCAA interpretations, and Christovich was careful not to guarantee an outcome.
But that’s a major dose of optimism for Gerry McNamara.
Syracuse just landed a Newburgh, N.Y., native who became one of the MAAC’s best players at Quinnipiac. McNamara also knows Monroe’s game firsthand from coaching against him while at Siena.
The bizarre eligibility ruling created an unexpected opportunity. Syracuse moved quickly enough to capitalize.
And now one of the reporters following the legal battle most closely believes Monroe will probably be on the floor when the Orange begin their season.
For Syracuse, an already fascinating late-summer addition just became a little easier to get excited about.
