Class of 2025 PF Francis Folefac (MD) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (4/27/26)

[Niastri]

Sadiq is a 5 star guy who ran into foul issues but showed a ton of promise before the malaise took over for most of the team. If he’s not able to be out there 25 plus mins a game every night then the sophomore leap didn’t happen or FF shocked the world.

It’s hard to project FF when he played center most of the year and his job here will be as a backup 4. I’m not sure what better you would expect to come in and play the 4 behind a surefire starter who is also a bigtime prospect. I mean you could have kept Betsey if he wanted to still come off the bench but he was purely one dimensional and too slow footed to defend. This is the kind of player you are going to get as a backup 4 deeper bench 8/9 guy.

I will also add that Siena was 89th overall in the country in team rebounding pct last year which is respectable all things considered and another way to look at how you evaluate their undersized 5 man as he was doing his job eating up space as well given where the team landed overall rebound wise.

I think at the core of it, I am hoping that we aren't done shopping at the top of the roster.

Especially if "5 for 5" goes through, if we don't pick up some of those top of the roster players, we're going to fall even further behind. I fear this roster is at best a middle of the pack ACC team, without a bunch of things going right.

My hope (there's that word again) is that GMAC is conserving funds to make a big splash when the fifth year seniors become available

 

[Niastri]

Another long post saying more of the same. When you compare this roster with the top 4 in the ACC or really the top 4 in the SEC/BIG/B12 we are not up there.

Our roster is better than the bottom half of the ACC and will be competitive with the 5th-9th teams in the ACC, but will come down to how the pieces fit.

All about expectations. This isn't a top 25 or sweet 16 team but should land somewhere in the next tier of teams and be tourney bound in a 76 team tournament.

So if I'm hearing you correctly, you think I failed in my effort to not belabor the point?

 

[Blanko97]

Projecting the Jump: Four Under-the-Radar Prospects With NBA Tools

Chauncey Wiggins, Leon Bond, Bryson Cokley, and Francis Folefac — four prospects, four timelines, and four different pro pathways.

thecenterhub.substack.com

Substack article from the tweet where the account mentioned NBA radar. Everything needs to click for the NBA to become a possibility. And being a good player for Syracuse, doesn't mean he has to be an NBA player of course. Just that when you watch him, as a freshmen, you see major upside by his senior year into what he can become if he continues on the upward trajectory. Also, just a very unique player (that's why I think he is on the NBA radar if he develops into an all around player, sometimes the NBA wants to bring new archetypes into the league) that even at 245 pounds at 6-7, fatigue and not being able to run the floor doesn't appear to be a problem at all.

Im not sure who that person is? Is he someone I’m supposed listen to or someone who watched the kid play one game and posted on his blog?

 

[sufan59]

Im not sure who that person is? Is he someone I’m supposed listen to or someone who watched the kid play one game and posted on his blog?

I'm posting someones outside observation to add to this dialogue that we call a message board. And added some of my observations, I've watched probably 5 Siena games last season. Very quickly could tell Doty and Folefac should come to Cuse with GMAC if he got the job. Didn't watch Goodrick and for that I'm less sure of how he will translate.

 

[Blanko97]

I'm posting someones outside observation to add to this dialogue that we call a message board.

I know, I saw it posted and responded to the article already, I think people wrote articles about a lot of players, also he was an add-in after he already talked about essentially the entire Duke roster.

I think that’s true for NBA starters, but maybe debatable or not unanimous for bench players, depending on how developed you expect a trait to be.
The cheerleading is in part to counter the talk saying things like he only played in the MAAC, he only scored a few points against team X early in the season or that he only had one other offer out of high school.

The last few NBA/fringe NBA guys who came to Syracuse?

Judah Mintz, elite finisher
Buddy boehiem, elite shooter
Elijah Hughes, top tier iso player with a high level mid range game
Cole swider, elite shooter

That’s not to say FF can’t buck then trend and develop into a fringe guy. But recent history tell us the ones who could truly get into even the G league require some sort of elite skill that made them a prospect

 

[Niastri]

Pending an additional PG, this teams regular season ceiling would be top 25. That would be all things click and fit and you get the luck factor that can come with a team that plays well together. The floor however is low. I would say .500 to slightly under is the floor.

I disagree with you there. I think the floor is pretty good, and the ceiling is high.

For instance, looking at the center position, Wilson and Goodrick will be at worst serviceable. They will play decent defense, rebound ok, and provide at least the threat of offense from the middle. Siby has an unknown ceiling, but I could see him being a 10 and 8 guy who blocks 4 shots a game and scares opposing teams out of the middle. I also could see him being unplayable until next year. Huge error bars at center.

Sadiq White, the same way. If he is terrible, it leaves a glaring hole on our team that Folefac will help fill. If White puts it all together, he could be All ACC.

At wing, I think our ceiling is if Mahmutovic comes in and shoots 45% on high volume from 3pt range, and can sustain that terrific shooting against ACC defenses, while being the focus of defenses. Well, in that unlikely scenario, the team is suddenly a whole lot better. On the other hand, Tobiason, Doty and Anthony just repeating their seasons from last year (adjusted for SoS of course) the team will be competitive.

Dual and Moesch worry me, but Dual is a proven defender at the Big East level, and looked like he turned the corner a bit last season... If he just repeats last season as this higher level, we are ok. But his physical gifts give hope of turning really good. Moesch has certain people excited, certain people skeptical... If he proves to be the guy that went head to head and outperformed multiple top recruits as a prep player, that would be amazing.

Every position at this point has a fairly low floor, but one that is well above terrible. We won't have a "Carlos is our starting point guard" moment with this team, though how well everybody plays is a big question. On the other hand, we have certain positions where we can easily dream on huge performances.

Imagine if Siby, MMM, and White all reach their 90th percentile projection, and Doty and Dual both perform really well even at the higher conference level. None of those things are impossible and would make the team really good next season.

Think Michigan from this past season. While they knew they had good players, and started the season ranked 7th, I don't think anybody, even Michigan fans, knew how good they were going to be this season.

 

[Orangezoo]

I disagree with you there. I think the floor is pretty good, and the ceiling is high.

For instance, looking at the center position, Wilson and Goodrick will be at worst serviceable. They will play decent defense, rebound ok, and provide at least the threat of offense from the middle. Siby has an unknown ceiling, but I could see him being a 10 and 8 guy who blocks 4 shots a game and scares opposing teams out of the middle. I also could see him being unplayable until next year. Huge error bars at center.

Sadiq White, the same way. If he is terrible, it leaves a glaring hole on our team that Folefac will help fill. If White puts it all together, he could be All ACC.

At wing, I think our ceiling is if Mahmutovic comes in and shoots 45% on high volume from 3pt range, and can sustain that terrific shooting against ACC defenses, while being the focus of defenses. Well, in that unlikely scenario, the team is suddenly a whole lot better. On the other hand, Tobiason, Doty and Anthony just repeating their seasons from last year (adjusted for SoS of course) the team will be competitive.

Dual and Moesch worry me, but Dual is a proven defender at the Big East level, and looked like he turned the corner a bit last season... If he just repeats last season as this higher level, we are ok. But his physical gifts give hope of turning really good. Moesch has certain people excited, certain people skeptical... If he proves to be the guy that went head to head and outperformed multiple top recruits as a prep player, that would be amazing.

Every position at this point has a fairly low floor, but one that is well above terrible. We won't have a "Carlos is our starting point guard" moment with this team, though how well everybody plays is a big question. On the other hand, we have certain positions where we can easily dream on huge performances.

Imagine if Siby, MMM, and White all reach their 90th percentile projection, and Doty and Dual both perform really well even at the higher conference level. None of those things are impossible and would make the team really good next season.

Think Michigan from this past season. While they knew they had good players, and started the season ranked 7th, I don't think anybody, even Michigan fans, knew how good they were going to be this season.

Fair argument on ceiling but I think a hard reality exists on the floor pending who else we add. I’d say 15-16 wins is more the floor than say 19-20. In any matter the floor isn’t really the concern when you factor it comes with major implications on the program future if that’s where things go.

 

[SUfanNC]

I'm posting someone’s outside observation to add to this dialogue that we call a message board. And added some of my observations, I've watched probably 5 Siena games last season. Very quickly could tell Doty and Folefac should come to Cuse with GMAC if he got the job. Didn't watch Goodrick and for that I'm less sure of how he will translate.

Some posters on here will only care how many followers that site or writer has. Be ready. Lol

 

[bnoro]

very small sample size but Folefac did shoot 37.5% from 3. 2 of 4 in the Duke game I believe.
Something that could develop into even more unexpected dividends.

Yep, just like everyone was saying about Jyare. That worked out well.

 

[bnoro]

Some posters on here will only care how many followers that site or writer has. Be ready. Lol

Yeah god forbid some of us want to see reputable scouts and people who have a track record of projecting things accurately, rather than some guy in his mom's basement that probably didn't even watch a full Siena game.

 

[bnoro]

No. That's not what you've said. You've been diminishing him since the start. Give it a rest.

He isn't being brought in to start. White is starting. Period.

He's going to be the 8th-9th-10th player on the team. That's fine. Maybe he develops into something better. You don't know that and I don't know that.

I would be much more concerned about Tobiason and his propensity for poor games given the fact that the program clearly has signed him to be a big piece. He went 1-for-12 against Tulane and had 8 points against UC San Diego. Can't afford those types of games from him.

I'm hoping that he is the 8th-10th guy on the team.

I'm not the one hyping him up as a potential NBA talent. He's a nice depth piece for us. I'm perfectly happy with that.

 

[CA Monk]

I love this board, but talk is talk and can get exhausting.
If premature anything is bad, extended foreplay is no bonus either.

Let's play some games and see some grit and skill.
C'mon GMAC and team. We're all pulling for you!

 

[cusefan88]

I'm hoping that he is the 8th-10th guy on the team.

I'm not the one hyping him up as a potential NBA talent. He's a nice depth piece for us. I'm perfectly happy with that.

I think lost in all of this is that a lot of people want the Siena transfers to be great. Really they just need to be competent role players off the bench. Asking/expecting them to take a leading role is a massive risk.

 

[Cappy3]

very small sample size but Folefac did shoot 37.5% from 3. 2 of 4 in the Duke game I believe.
Something that could develop into even more unexpected dividends.

People are putting too much on one game, even if it was Duke. There’s a reason he only averaged 11 in the MAAC. He’s a shortish power forward with average at best leaping. I watchedat least part of 7-8 Siena games and saw him get blocked frequently by MAAC centers. I expect him to struggle against ACC bigs.

 

[SUfanNC]

Yeah god forbid some of us want to see reputable scouts and people who have a track record of projecting things accurately, rather than some guy in his mom's basement that probably didn't even watch a full Siena game.

Whether it's a guy in his mom's basement, a guy that played at a high level or someone that gets paid to do so, it's all an evaluation guess. No way to know how that player will turn out. Some takes are so definitive. Hope for the best!

 

[tptcuse]

That doesn’t necessarily mean NIL and fan support will dry up as you said.

I guess I should have said NIL and/or fan support.

 

[RedtheGOB]

People are putting too much on one game, even if it was Duke. There’s a reason he only averaged 11 in the MAAC. He’s a shortish power forward with average at best leaping. I watchedat least part of 7-8 Siena games and saw him get blocked frequently by MAAC centers. I expect him to struggle against ACC bigs.

What about the game before Duke where Siena outrebounded Merrimack 50-26.

When a team outrebounds a team by 2X in their conference championship it says something.

 

[NYCorange]

I know, I saw it posted and responded to the article already, I think people wrote articles about a lot of players, also he was an add-in after he already talked about essentially the entire Duke roster.

The last few NBA/fringe NBA guys who came to Syracuse?

Judah Mintz, elite finisher
Buddy boehiem, elite shooter
Elijah Hughes, top tier iso player with a high level mid range game
Cole swider, elite shooter

That’s not to say FF can’t buck then trend and develop into a fringe guy. But recent history tell us the ones who could truly get into even the league require some sort of elite skill that made them a prospect

Hard disagree, not on your facts, but on your analysis.

The NBA is increasingly looking for all around guys who are smart and don't have huge weaknesses.

Looks at the playoffs this year and who is getting on the court and who is not. The NBA is increasingly becoming a weak-link sport where how good you are is defined more by how bad your worst player on the court is than how good your best is. If you can't shoot, the defense will play 5 on 4, if you can't defend, you will be mercilessly hunted until you are forced to iso against the other teams best player, over and over again.

The guys you mentioned all had an elite skill but also were not all-around players, which is why none of them stuck in the league. Players like Folefac, if they develop, won't be top draft picks most likely, but will catch on with a team and then have long careers being the connective tissue on teams with stars. Look at Draymond, look at CMB on Toronto, or even guys like Dort and PJ Tucker. That's probably the path for Folefac for the skill set he has.

 

[Irishsecra1]

I think until we get to see Folefac competing in our games, many will tend to assume he cant be all that ACC ready if he came from Siena.
Soon enough, we will see if he deserves significant minutes on our team.

 

[llandz]

I think at the core of it, I am hoping that we aren't done shopping at the top of the roster.

Especially if "5 for 5" goes through, if we don't pick up some of those top of the roster players, we're going to fall even further behind. I fear this roster is at best a middle of the pack ACC team, without a bunch of things going right.

My hope (there's that word again) is that GMAC is conserving funds to make a big splash when the fifth year seniors become available

I thought 5 for 5 doesn't start with this season, but next season.

 

[Red Holzman]

At last - a loaded baked potato instead of a string bean !!!

Loaded Baked Potato > Potato Knees

 

[IthacaMatt]

I like the roster. Concerned slightly about shooting but as long as one of these guys can play PG, I think we have good pieces.

Folefac helps with that. Pretty decent outside shooter.
I think we may still pick up another guard, and maybe even another forward for practice depth.

 

[IthacaMatt]

You think fans are going to be okay without making the tournament?

They may not call for Gerry's scalp, but they also won't be coming to games ...

 

[IthacaMatt]

That will depend on Siby too. If he is ready to contribute defensively it may depend on matchup and need as to who is the first big off the bench. Also if Kiyan and Tobiason start you could have M3 the first wing off the bench coming in at SF. A lot to work out with the pecking order this summer. Also the sooner we can get news on another PG will be great too. I would hope it’s a guy who can run the point but is a scorer and then a facilitator given we have a true pass first guy already.

Both of the backup centers look like they can actually play. Haven't had that in 100 years.

 

[Blanko97]

Hard disagree, not on your facts, but on your analysis.

The NBA is increasingly looking for all around guys who are smart and don't have huge weaknesses.

Looks at the playoffs this year and who is getting on the court and who is not. The NBA is increasingly becoming a weak-link sport where how good you are is defined more by how bad your worst player on the court is than how good your best is. If you can't shoot, the defense will play 5 on 4, if you can't defend, you will be mercilessly hunted until you are forced to iso against the other teams best player, over and over again.

The guys you mentioned all had an elite skill but also were not all-around players, which is why none of them stuck in the league. Players like Folefac, if they develop, won't be top draft picks most likely, but will catch on with a team and then have long careers being the connective tissue on teams with stars. Look at Draymond, look at CMB on Toronto, or even guys like Dort and PJ Tucker. That's probably the path for Folefac for the skill set he has.

That only supports my point I think? Even the guys with elite traits struggle to get in. A guy who is average at everything is very unlikely to to b one that makes it. I understand your thoughts on “all around” play being important (it is) but the all around skill set needs to be at the very least above average to darn near top tier. Being okay, even at everything, doesn’t make you NBA player