Syracuse basketball scores high in ACC transfer portal rankings

richmond-nd-2-20-21
Feb 20, 2021; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Kadary Richmond (3) shoots over Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Nikola Djogo (13) in the first half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

With the eligibility rule wiped out for college basketball transfers, the portal of collegiate players looking to find new homes is at an all-time high. Players no longer have to take a year off the court if they want to change schools, meaning players can put themselves in a better fit right away.

The transfer portal has seen some major moves since the season ended, and will continue to cause movement for the upcoming weeks. The ACC has already seen key players both departing and entering the league.

Here is where the Orange rank amongst ACC programs with success in the transfer market so far:

Boston College: D+
It’s hard to lose your top four leading scorers from the season before and expect to have a successful offseason, but this is what happened to Boston College.

The Eagles had sophomores C.J. Felder and Jay Heath, junior Wynston Tabbs and senior Rich Kelly all transfer out of the program once the season concluded. These four led the team in scoring with guard Jay Heath averaging 14.5 ppg.

BC bounced back by getting forward T.J Bickerstaff from Drexel and guard Brevin Galloway from the College of Charleston. Although these are good role player pickups for the Eagle, losing too many key guys from the year before is going to be a heavy burden.

Clemson: C+
Clemson has been able to keep most of their guys on the squad other than senior guard Clyde Trapp who was a rotation player averaging 7 ppg. South Florida guard David Collins who was the team’s leading scorer transferred to Clemson on April 20th. A pretty quiet transfer portal this year for Clemson.

Duke: B
Duke does their offseason work when it comes to signing incoming freshmen, so there is no doubt the Blue Devils will bounce back from last season with a solid squad next year. With that being said, Jordan Goldwire who averaged 5.8 ppg is leaving for Oklahoma while 6’9 Theo John from Marquette joins Coach K averaging 8 ppg and 5 rpg. The pickup is a good get for the Blue Devils frontcourt.

Florida State: A
Although FSU is seeing some of their key players depart from the team rather through the draft or graduating, the Seminoles have been able to keep most of their guys from entering the transfer portal.

Only senior guard Nathaneal Jack entered the portal after averaging 3.6 ppg last year. Bigger than Jack’s departure is the pickup of transfer guard Caleb Mills. Mills was the Freshman of the Year in the AAC for 2020 and averaged 13.2 ppg as a freshman. This get is huge for an already loaded incoming FSU class.

Georgia Tech: B+
The Yellowjackets had an extremely successful 2021 winning the ACC tournament. They were not major victims to the transfer portal and instead were able to acquire freshman guard Deivon Smith from Mississippi State. Smith averaged 5.2 ppg in his first-year campaign and has an extremely high upside to his game.

Louisville: B+
Louisville sees two Sophmore guards who averaged less than 3 ppg in Aidan Igiehon and Josh Nickelbarry depart while at the same time pick up elite sharpshooter Noah Locke from Florida and the freshman forward Matt Cross from Miami. These are two solid pickups for the Cardinals without really losing much.

Miami: F
Miami falls victim to 5 transfer portal departures, all from guys who made an impact for the team. Senior guard Chris Lykes is headed to Arkansas after averaging 15.5 ppg last season. George Mason guard Jordan Miller transferred to Miami, but the Hurricanes have missed out on many transfer opportunities and remain depleted.

NC State: B-
Braxton Beverly is finishing up his collegiate career at Eastern Kentucky while Casey Morsell of Virginia will be transferring into the program after 4.4 ppg last season. The Wolfpack have been somewhat quiet in the transfer portal, but the in-league transfer definitely helps them.

North Carolina: A-
UNC sees Garrison Brooks and Walker Kessler departure from the program, two major contributors last season. Brooks averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.9 rpg and is going to Mississippi State. Although these two leaving hurts, the Tar Heels picked up major transfer players in forward Brady Manek(10.8 ppg) from Oklahoma and sophomore forward Justin McKoy of Virginia. Both of these players were key options in their respected power five conferences.

Pittsburgh: F
The Panthers took a beating this offseason in the transfer portal. Stars Xavier Johnson averaging 14.2 ppg and 5.7 apg and Au’Diese Toney averaging 14.4 ppg and 5.9 rpg are both departing from the program. Three other Pittsburgh players transferred, with no real big pick-ups to compensate for all the losses. A tough offseason for Jeff Capel and Pittsburgh.

Syracuse: A-
The biggest hit the Orange took was the transfer of freshman guard Kadary Richmond to Seton Hall after averaging 6.3 ppg and 3.1 apg. Woody Newton, Robert Braswell, and John Bol Ajak all depart as guys that would have seen limited minutes next year.

Syracuse reacted to the transfer portal quickly, getting Symir Torrence of Marquette and Cole Swider of Villanova. Swider at 6’9″ is a stretch big that will work well in the zone and the Orange’s offense next year. The Orange also picked up Jimmy Boeheim, eldest son of Jim Boeheim, after he led Cornell in scoring and rebounding in the 2019-20 season. The departure of Richmond hurts, but Syracuse was able to make up for it.

» Related: Jimmy Boeheim brings hard-nosed style to Syracuse

Virginia: A+
The Cavaliers have two sophomores transferring within the league after averaging less than 5 ppg in Justin McKoy and Casey Morsell. Tony Bennet was able to target Indiana guard Armaan Franklin who averaged an impressive 11.4 ppg in a difficult Big10 last season. In addition, UVA picked up transfer Jayden Gardner who led ECU last year with 18.3 ppg and 8.3 rpg. Virginia once again impresses during the offseason.

Virginia Tech: D-
Jalen Cone averaged 9.2 ppg in his sophomore campaign at Virginia Tech before transferring this offseason to Northern Arizona. Top 2020 recruit Joe Bamisile also left the Hokies after his freshman season with too many veterans guards in his way for playing time.

Virginia Tech has failed to compensate so far for the departure of these two, and remain quiet in the transfer portal.

Wake Forest: C+
Six players for Wake Forest will leave the team this offseason, including sophomore forward Ismael Massoud who averaged 8.3 ppg and is headed to Kansas State.

The Demon Deacons bounced back in the portal by getting Colorado center Dallas Walton and 6’6 guard Damari Monsanto from East Tennessee State University. Although small pieces, these are definitely good pickups after all the departures.

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About Brett Gustin 71 Articles
Brett is from Canastota, NY, and is currently attending Falk college at Syracuse University studying Sports Analytics. Being a Central New York native, Brett has been passionate about Syracuse sports for his whole life. He covers all Syracuse athletics.