Class of 2026 PG Deron Rippey Jr. (NY/NJ) Offered

[Cusefan0307]

Well said. Given revenue-sharing now in effect, I can't stress enough how much more of a focus the portal will be in recruiting, as opposed to prep recruiting. Someone made a comment that one can't build a team in the transfer portal every year. Actually, that's what a lot of teams are doing. I'm not suggesting Syracuse will stop recruiting high school kids. But for me, spending money on roster retention and talented guys in the portal is money better spent than on a lot of high school prospects (although I acknowledge that Rippey and Jordan Smith Jr. are elite high school players). This is just a weird cycle for 'Cuse, because 9-10 guys could return, and the issue of the program/coaching staff, etc.

I was a bit disappointed myself when we didn't make a push for more HS guys, but there really is no room. We probably need an elite big and a role player to replace Zephir. Anything else is a luxury.

 

[Starman]

Unless you're getting a for sure homerun talent freshman, I feel like the best way to use the highschool recruits is by plugging holes in second string on the cheap.

 

[721Comstock]

I was a bit disappointed myself when we didn't make a push for more HS guys, but there really is no room. We probably need an elite big and a role player to replace Zephir. Anything else is a luxury.

Yeah, assuming we retain all/most of the current players who have eligibility after this season, that is a VERY solid start for the '26 roster!!

JJ, Will Kyle, and Zephir - Master of the Pan Flute, all exhaust their eligibility after this season.

Kingz could maybe/possibly get another year, would have to appeal.
(would be awesome if we could get a 2nd year of him as a Super-Senior)

We all assume Donnie is NBA bound after this season.

Everybody else could come back, and I'm sure we'd love to retain all of them.
Guards - Nait, Kiyan, Luke, (Womack?)
Forwards - Betsey, Sadiq, (Womack?)
C's - Souare, Diawara

?? - Kingz

Pretty solid building blocks for a nice roster.

 

[RF2044]

I was a bit disappointed myself when we didn't make a push for more HS guys, but there really is no room. We probably need an elite big and a role player to replace Zephir. Anything else is a luxury.

And probably a PF [Freeman]. Maybe Betsey slides into his role next year.

 

[Cusefan0307]

And probably a PF [Freeman]. Maybe Betsey slides into his role next year.

Sadiq? Last I heard they want Kingz back too.

 

[Sbucketball]

And probably a PF [Freeman]. Maybe Betsey slides into his role next year.

Don't we plan on Sadiq doing that?

 

[RF2044]

Sadiq? Last I heard they want Kingz back too.

True, my bad.