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

[capeorange]

You underestimate girth.

Freeman was listed at 205 pounds and White at 195. A solid 245 that FF caries will compete.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

I like Folefac's game and potential, but how is he going to compete against ACC/Power conf. interior players consistently? He's like 6'5", 6'6" (check Siena's team photo and see how he compares to Blackwell-2-3" shorter/Arinze-4-5" shorter). Playing as a small ball 4 can be possible, but any size is going to be a major issue for him and our interior, defense, rebounding...

If you read that GMAC/Melo article, Folefac was definitely a late bloomer and a hard worker. Based on that, I think he still has a huge upside. He could end up being the biggest surprise this year, although I think there are three or four with huge upside potential.

 

[rrlbees]

If you read that GMAC/Melo article, Folefac was definitely a late bloomer and a hard worker. Based on that, I think he still has a huge upside. He could end up being the biggest surprise this year, although I think there are three or four with huge upside potential.

since he played aau ball for team MELO, you know this was fate.

 

[eastcuse]

Go watch the Duke game he did not look short or undersized against Boozer and co…If he is 6’5” 250lbs thats a truck like Charles Barkley and even better without any fat. Nobody is going to stop him from getting rebounds, position or shot him down from bully ball.

These types of players have historically given us fits in the paint. A prime example of height doesn't matter, 2009 6'7 DeJaun Blair absolutely murdered 7'3 Hasheem Thabeet. Had a game where he went for 22 points and 23 rebounds and Thabeet had 5 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 fouls. I think I even remember Blair tossing Thabeet over his shoulder, but maybe that was someone else.

 

[OrangeinNH]

The Dejuan Blair comp is a really good one. I don’t remember him being a big threat outside the paint. I think the way some on this board view FF vs how Gmac and Ben Lee talk about him is quite different. I could see him being a 20-30 minute player that is difficult to take off of the floor due to his ability to contribute on both ends.

 

[jdubs30]

Jeff Adrien?

 

[bnoro]

Dejuan Blair was immovable at like 270 lbs, and was drafted after his sophomore year. He was a total freak. It's another over-comparison that Folefac won't compare to.

 

[OHIORANGES]

You underestimate girth.

That’s what she said

 

[OttosDad]

I think the ceiling here is Draymond Green. By no means am I saying he’s there right now. But his ceiling is comparable to Green IMO.

Green was more of an interior player in college then became a facilitating stretch 4 in the NBA. Folefac could have a similar college career to Green if he keeps improving his game.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

These types of players have historically given us fits in the paint. A prime example of height doesn't matter, 2009 6'7 DeJaun Blair absolutely murdered 7'3 Hasheem Thabeet. Had a game where he went for 22 points and 23 rebounds and Thabeet had 5 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 fouls. I think I even remember Blair tossing Thabeet over his shoulder, but maybe that was someone else.

Dejuan Blair was immovable at like 270 lbs, and was drafted after his sophomore year. He was a total freak. It's another over-comparison that Folefac won't compare to.

Yeah, and Blair had a much longer and more productive NBA career than Thabeet. Talent matters.

 

[eastcuse]

Dejuan Blair was immovable at like 270 lbs, and was drafted after his sophomore year. He was a total freak. It's another over-comparison that Folefac won't compare to.

It wasn't my intention to compare him to Dejaun Blair. I don't expect him to come in and physically dominate the best big men in the ACC. But is he big enough to compete with the average ACC 4 man? I think so.

 

[Oakland]

I think the ceiling here is Draymond Green. By no means am I saying he’s there right now. But his ceiling is comparable to Green IMO.

Green was more of an interior player in college then became a facilitating stretch 4 in the NBA. Folefac could have a similar college career to Green if he keeps improving his game.

Green was as much a PG his last year at MSt as anything else (did he everything) - he routinely brought the ball up court and initiated the offense - probably a lack of a better PG as much as Green was good at everything.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Jeff Adrien?

This recently popped up in one of my feeds. If allowed, I can find myself reusing it.

 

[GHLF]

I like Folefac's game and potential, but how is he going to compete against ACC/Power conf. interior players consistently? He's like 6'5", 6'6" (check Siena's team photo and see how he compares to Blackwell-2-3" shorter/Arinze-4-5" shorter). Playing as a small ball 4 can be possible, but any size is going to be a major issue for him and our interior, defense, rebounding...

Bigger than Will Herndon, you cannot coach guts and heart, We will take him, sample size Duke, Indiana, did not come off the floor...

 

[rrlbees]

Dejuan Blair was immovable at like 270 lbs, and was drafted after his sophomore year. He was a total freak. It's another over-comparison that Folefac won't compare to.

Most times when somebody compares one of our players to an NBA player or a college great they aren’t saying that our player is going to be as successful as that comparison. Most times they’re comparing style of play, build, tenacity, etc.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Most times when somebody compares one of our players too an NBA player or a college great they aren’t saying that our player is going to be as successful as that comparison. Most times they’re comparing style of play, build, tenacity, etc.

Yes! Too many people don't seem to get that this is a projection of who that type of player could turn into over time. Who their style reminds you of from the past (or present).

This is exactly what the NBA and NFL are doing in the draft - they're projecting who that player may turn into, more so than who they are right now.

 

[HyattsCuse]

Dejuan Blair was immovable at like 270 lbs, and was drafted after his sophomore year. He was a total freak. It's another over-comparison that Folefac won't compare to.

Not to mention he had go-go gadget arms. I recall his wingspan and standing reach being crazy for his height.

 

[SaltineW]

Green was as much a PG his last year at MSt as anything else (did he everything) - he routinely brought the ball up court and initiated the offense - probably a lack of a better PG as much as Green was good at everything.

I hadn't seen a college player with Draymond Green's motor in my lifetime, until Zuby Ejiofor turned up the dial for Rick Pitino at St. John's this past season. Folefac is active, but he doesn't play with 100% rage at all times, so I don't really see the comp.

Very few players give close to 100%. Green certainly seemed to, as did Zuby this season. Back in 2012, I couldn't believe my eyeballs when I saw that Green went #35 in the NBA draft. NBA scouts and front office execs completely whiffed on him - he was a stat sheet stuffer with the Spartans and that carried over to his NBA career.

I don't see Folefac as being relentless, but I do love his motor. In fact, I love Doty's motor also. GMAC certainly stresses that players give maximum effort, so I'm excited to see Folefac blend with White and others who try hard at all times. If GMAC can get SU doing that, a lot of close games might go SU's way and that could make SU somewhat respectable.

Under Boeheim, when the 2-3 was working, he had his players buying into rotating and not taking posessions off. He would also yank almost anybody out if they weren't trying on defense -- notable exceptions might be his son Buddy, or JG3, or perhaps Derrick Coleman (from his sophomore season on)..etc. I'm sure there were others he favored, but those guys were obvious scorers so they got enough rope to hang themselves and usually didn't wind up in Boeheim's noose.

 

[721Comstock]

I hadn't seen a college player with Draymond Green's motor in my lifetime, until Zuby Ejiofor turned up the dial for Rick Pitino at St. John's this past season. Folefac is active, but he doesn't play with 100% rage at all times, so I don't really see the comp.

Very few players give close to 100%. Green certainly seemed to, as did Zuby this season. Back in 2012, I couldn't believe my eyeballs when I saw that Green went #35 in the NBA draft. NBA scouts and front office execs completely whiffed on him - he was a stat sheet stuffer with the Spartans and that carried over to his NBA career.

I don't see Folefac as being relentless, but I do love his motor. In fact, I love Doty's motor also. GMAC certainly stresses that players give maximum effort, so I'm excited to see Folefac blend with White and others who try hard at all times. If GMAC can get SU doing that, a lot of close games might go SU's way and that could make SU somewhat respectable.

Under Boeheim, when the 2-3 was working, he had his players buying into rotating and not taking posessions off. He would also yank almost anybody out if they weren't trying on defense -- notable exceptions might be his son Buddy, or JG3, or perhaps Derrick Coleman (from his sophomore season on)..etc. I'm sure there were others he favored, but those guys were obvious scorers so they got enough rope to hang themselves and usually didn't wind up in Boeheim's noose.

You left out Wallace.

J-Dub took a lotta plays off on D.