Class of 2023 PG Naithan George (Ontario/AZ) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (4/4/25)

[IthacaMatt]

100%. My memory isn't what it used to be some of those JB rotations but of those 8 guys there was usually our 6th man that was a stud, then the backup center put in there to play defense and foul some guys in case the starter got in their own foul trouble, then the 8th man was the next best guy that could play.

Unless there's an injury really or we're beating a up a team which happens less and less don't want to be seeing the 9-10 guys much.

The traditional Boeheim 8 man rotation featured a back up center, a back up forward and a back up guard.
You had to have guys who could play both forward spots and both guard spots for it to work.

But even then, JB didn't usually whittle it down to those 8 guys until conference season. Usually the first 10 games or so of the season he would play 10 or 11 guys, and see what he has on his bench. Until his later years, guys used to get a chance until Christmas to prove whether or not they belonged in the rotation.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Kingz is almost certainly the starter at small forward, no matter who else we get. I expect him to get around 30 minutes.

We have about 8 guys who "could be" starters. Nobody is so much better than the others, for the most part. So you have to NOT play anyone 35 minutes in November and December, while you figure it out.

Freeman needs to play. JJ needs to play. Kyle needs to play. Kingz needs to play. The new PG needs to play. Saddiq White, a McDonald's AA, needs to play. If we get Deng, he needs to play.

That's 7 guys, and we haven't even gotten to Anthony, Fennell and the back-up center. Are you telling me they aren't going to play?

When you have 9 or 10 guys who will "need to play", if you're smart, you don't play any of them more than 30 minutes, to ensure effort, and to keep everyone engaged.

You don't play guys for 12 minute stretches, especially if they gave up a couple easy buckets, take bad shots, fail to make the right pass, or show a lack of effort.

You don't take out hot shooters. You rotate to avoid foul trouble and fatigue.

 

[McCuse]

We have about 8 guys who "could be" starters. Nobody is so much better than the others, for the most part. So you have to NOT play anyone 35 minutes in November and December, while you figure it out.

Freeman needs to play. JJ needs to play. Kyle needs to play. Kingz needs to play. The new PG needs to play. Saddiq White, a McDonald's AA, needs to play. If we get Deng, he needs to play.

That's 7 guys, and we haven't even gotten to Anthony, Fennell and the back-up center. Are you telling me they aren't going to play?

When you have 9 or 10 guys who will "need to play", if you're smart, you don't play any of them more than 30 minutes, to ensure effort, and to keep everyone engaged.

You don't play guys for 12 minute stretches, especially if they gave up a couple easy buckets, take bad shots, fail to make the right pass, or show a lack of effort.

You don't take out hot shooters. You rotate to avoid foul trouble and fatigue.

Fresh legs

 

[RedtheGOB]

We have about 8 guys who "could be" starters. Nobody is so much better than the others, for the most part. So you have to NOT play anyone 35 minutes in November and December, while you figure it out.

Freeman needs to play. JJ needs to play. Kyle needs to play. Kingz needs to play. The new PG needs to play. Saddiq White, a McDonald's AA, needs to play. If we get Deng, he needs to play.

That's 7 guys, and we haven't even gotten to Anthony, Fennell and the back-up center. Are you telling me they aren't going to play?

When you have 9 or 10 guys who will "need to play", if you're smart, you don't play any of them more than 30 minutes, to ensure effort, and to keep everyone engaged.

You don't play guys for 12 minute stretches, especially if they gave up a couple easy buckets, take bad shots, fail to make the right pass, or show a lack of effort.

You don't take out hot shooters. You rotate to avoid foul trouble and fatigue.

Agree with most of this. I think that Georgie and Donnie are the must haves on the court as much as they can play.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Agree with most of this. I think that Georgie and Donnie are the must haves on the court as much as they can play.

Let them earn it first. He didn't do that last year with Carlos, and didn't even try Cuffe until January. Same with Eddie & Naheem.

 

[Niastri]

I don't see how he plays 30 minutes unless some of that is at 2G and JJ moves to point, or when he sits down.

Just an idea about distribution of minutes…

Additional transfers make the roster better, and complicate the rotations.

The biggest minutes go to George and Starling, so good luck to everybody competing to be their backups. Fennell and Anthony get some time here. Fennell is essentially competing with Starling for backup point minutes and possibly time ahead of Anthony backing up Starling and Kingz.

Kingz and White essentially platoon at 3G/SF depending on matchups and who’s playing better. Both of them also are the primary backup for the other forward or guard spot respectively.

Anthony is also competing for minutes in the SG/3G spot. Since seeing Anthony measured out at 6’6” at an elite camp, I don’t mind him playing a bit of forward or third guard. Our starting lineup is going to have the point guard as the third best rebounder anyway.

I think our back court is going to be among the best in the ACC. I’m worried about our size and depth up front.

I’m very skeptical of Souare and Kyle being our only big men. I would really like to get somebody else that at least pushes Souare to the bench, and maybe even a center starting over Kyle. This might be the position compromise we had to make to get such great back court players like George and Kingz, as well as keeping Starling and Freeman around.

That said, Freeman is our best front court player. Right now, we have three other athletic 6’9” guys to help defend and dunk when George passes it to them.

George PG 32
Fennell CG 10
Starling CG 32
Anthony Wing 18
Kingz 3G 30
White CF 18
Freeman PF 32
Souare PF 15
Kyle C 23

It has been implied that Deng is nearly a done deal, but even so, he isn’t fixing the center issue. He plays smaller than Souare. But depth would be welcome, and Deng is at worst quality depth. Womack probably is as well, and at any rate, he’s here.

Adding another actual big man, with strength and athleticism, no matter how raw, would get us to 12 on the roster.

Then we take in one of the Davis, Carlos, Lucas Taylor lower level veteran types for the last roster spot. Or maybe a tall fast twitch kid from a place that doesn’t play much basketball… somebody like Souare was two years ago, for instance.

 

[Niastri]

Let them earn it first. He didn't do that last year with Carlos, and didn't even try Cuffe until January. Same with Eddie & Naheem.

Red played loose with the rotations the first three games, and we were in nail biters against the cupcakes. Then we went toe to toe with Texas and Texas tech. Not much time to figure out rotating players with tight games and tough OOC games early.

This season will probably look similar with the NIL tournament in the OOC. Hopefully we blow out Lemoyne early and get all the freshmen some early playing time.

 

[hoopsupstate]

Just an idea about distribution of minutes…

Additional transfers make the roster better, and complicate the rotations.

The biggest minutes go to George and Starling, so good luck to everybody competing to be their backups. Fennell and Anthony get some time here. Fennell is essentially competing with Starling for backup point minutes and possibly time ahead of Anthony backing up Starling and Kingz.

Kingz and White essentially platoon at 3G/SF depending on matchups and who’s playing better. Both of them also are the primary backup for the other forward or guard spot respectively.

Anthony is also competing for minutes in the SG/3G spot. Since seeing Anthony measured out at 6’6” at an elite camp, I don’t mind him playing a bit of forward or third guard. Our starting lineup is going to have the point guard as the third best rebounder anyway.

I think our back court is going to be among the best in the ACC. I’m worried about our size and depth up front.

I’m very skeptical of Souare and Kyle being our only big men. I would really like to get somebody else that at least pushes Souare to the bench, and maybe even a center starting over Kyle. This might be the position compromise we had to make to get such great back court players like George and Kingz, as well as keeping Starling and Freeman around.

That said, Freeman is our best front court player. Right now, we have three other athletic 6’9” guys to help defend and dunk when George passes it to them.

George PG 32
Fennell CG 10
Starling CG 32
Anthony Wing 18
Kingz 3G 30
White CF 18
Freeman PF 32
Souare PF 15
Kyle C 23

It has been implied that Deng is nearly a done deal, but even so, he isn’t fixing the center issue. He plays smaller than Souare. But depth would be welcome, and Deng is at worst quality depth. Womack probably is as well, and at any rate, he’s here.

Adding another actual big man, with strength and athleticism, no matter how raw, would get us to 12 on the roster.

Then we take in one of the Davis, Carlos, Lucas Taylor lower level veteran types for the last roster spot. Or maybe a tall fast twitch kid from a place that doesn’t play much basketball… somebody like Souare was two years ago, for instance.

If Deng commits he will be hard to keep off the floor. He’s not a good shooter but great shooter for a guy 6’9”. He will play small forward. I doubt White sees any time at small forward. He will backup Freeman. Kyle is going to start and be just fine. I think Donnie will be his backup the most allowing Soure and White to get on the floor.

 

[RF2044]

Just an idea about distribution of minutes…

Additional transfers make the roster better, and complicate the rotations.

The biggest minutes go to George and Starling, so good luck to everybody competing to be their backups. Fennell and Anthony get some time here. Fennell is essentially competing with Starling for backup point minutes and possibly time ahead of Anthony backing up Starling and Kingz.

Kingz and White essentially platoon at 3G/SF depending on matchups and who’s playing better. Both of them also are the primary backup for the other forward or guard spot respectively.

Anthony is also competing for minutes in the SG/3G spot. Since seeing Anthony measured out at 6’6” at an elite camp, I don’t mind him playing a bit of forward or third guard. Our starting lineup is going to have the point guard as the third best rebounder anyway.

I think our back court is going to be among the best in the ACC. I’m worried about our size and depth up front.

I’m very skeptical of Souare and Kyle being our only big men. I would really like to get somebody else that at least pushes Souare to the bench, and maybe even a center starting over Kyle. This might be the position compromise we had to make to get such great back court players like George and Kingz, as well as keeping Starling and Freeman around.

That said, Freeman is our best front court player. Right now, we have three other athletic 6’9” guys to help defend and dunk when George passes it to them.

George PG 32
Fennell CG 10
Starling CG 32
Anthony Wing 18
Kingz 3G 30
White CF 18
Freeman PF 32
Souare PF 15
Kyle C 23

It has been implied that Deng is nearly a done deal, but even so, he isn’t fixing the center issue. He plays smaller than Souare. But depth would be welcome, and Deng is at worst quality depth. Womack probably is as well, and at any rate, he’s here.

Adding another actual big man, with strength and athleticism, no matter how raw, would get us to 12 on the roster.

Then we take in one of the Davis, Carlos, Lucas Taylor lower level veteran types for the last roster spot. Or maybe a tall fast twitch kid from a place that doesn’t play much basketball… somebody like Souare was two years ago, for instance.

Good post, but White is NOT a SF.

 

[OCESIP]

Good post, but White is NOT a SF.

And White has significant offensive limitations.

 

[Niastri]

Good post, but White is NOT a SF.

If White and Freeman play together, I guess Freeman would be the small forward, then.

Not as worried about labels as rotations and minutes distribution. White is going to essentially split minutes at the guard/forward spot, it radically changes the lineup. Going from Kingz to White could create occasional matchup problems with opposing coaches substitution patterns.

Chances are, the guy they want guarding Kingz isn’t going to be able to guard White, and vice versa…

 

[Cusefan0307]

If White and Freeman play together, I guess Freeman would be the small forward, then.

Not as worried about labels as rotations and minutes distribution.

More likely center lol.

 

[50YRsofCuse]

And White has significant offensive limitations.

I saw Sadiq White play in the EYBL Peach Jam. In the first game, he was more offensively minded, scoring on open jump shots inside the arc. in the second game, he was used in a defensive role, blocking shots and getting rebounds.

iHe is very skilled and plays under control. If he needs to be a scorer, he can be a scorer. My belief is that at IMG, the coach used him in a specific manner and did not intend him to be the primary player. The primary scorer on the IMG team this season was Darius Acuff, Jr.

 

[StPeteOrang]

I feel like we should be looking at this upcoming team within the forward/center group not as SF or PF or C but just . I think they’ll be more of a positionless group here and not traditional pigeonholed into the sf/pf aka Houston.

 

[IthacaMatt]

It has been implied that Deng is nearly a done deal, but even so, he isn’t fixing the center issue. He plays smaller than Souare. But depth would be welcome, and Deng is at worst quality depth. Womack probably is as well, and at any rate, he’s here.

Adding another actual big man, with strength and athleticism, no matter how raw, would get us to 12 on the roster.

I think if Deng is the last major piece then he sees White as the third center, or maybe Donnie in small ball situations. Donnie is a better outside shooter than White, so I'm not sure why some people think White will see any time at all at SF. We have too many guys already who can play there.

 

[Orangefizz]

we need three or four reliable outside shooters on the floor at all times. This is why I look at Deng as an important versatile forward piece if they can add him.

PG George/JJ/Fennell
SG JJ/Kiyan/Kingz
W Kingz/Deng/Kiyan
PF Donnie/White/Deng/Souare
C Kyle/Donnie/Souare

 

[Niastri]

If Deng is our last major piece, I sincerely hope our deep bench guy is a big man, who can at least play physically so our big guys aren’t worn down.

 

[DomeHolmes]

Just an idea about distribution of minutes…

Additional transfers make the roster better, and complicate the rotations.

The biggest minutes go to George and Starling, so good luck to everybody competing to be their backups. Fennell and Anthony get some time here. Fennell is essentially competing with Starling for backup point minutes and possibly time ahead of Anthony backing up Starling and Kingz.

Kingz and White essentially platoon at 3G/SF depending on matchups and who’s playing better. Both of them also are the primary backup for the other forward or guard spot respectively.

Anthony is also competing for minutes in the SG/3G spot. Since seeing Anthony measured out at 6’6” at an elite camp, I don’t mind him playing a bit of forward or third guard. Our starting lineup is going to have the point guard as the third best rebounder anyway.

I think our back court is going to be among the best in the ACC. I’m worried about our size and depth up front.

I’m very skeptical of Souare and Kyle being our only big men. I would really like to get somebody else that at least pushes Souare to the bench, and maybe even a center starting over Kyle. This might be the position compromise we had to make to get such great back court players like George and Kingz, as well as keeping Starling and Freeman around.

That said, Freeman is our best front court player. Right now, we have three other athletic 6’9” guys to help defend and dunk when George passes it to them.

George PG 32
Fennell CG 10
Starling CG 32
Anthony Wing 18
Kingz 3G 30
White CF 18
Freeman PF 32
Souare PF 15
Kyle C 23

It has been implied that Deng is nearly a done deal, but even so, he isn’t fixing the center issue. He plays smaller than Souare. But depth would be welcome, and Deng is at worst quality depth. Womack probably is as well, and at any rate, he’s here.

Adding another actual big man, with strength and athleticism, no matter how raw, would get us to 12 on the roster.

Then we take in one of the Davis, Carlos, Lucas Taylor lower level veteran types for the last roster spot. Or maybe a tall fast twitch kid from a place that doesn’t play much basketball… somebody like Souare was two years ago, for instance.

This seems to be a good guesstimate of minutes. The wild cards to me are JJ if he can’t fix his jumper, ( No need to ever let him get to a 3-17 game again). I could see his minutes go down. And if one of Kyle or White is the high motor beast around the basket offensively and defensively they can earn more minutes too.

Keep in mind, JJ is tight with Red but gone after the year. Anthony and Kingz can come back. May lead to a quicker hook.

3rd Center more important than Deng IMO too.

the most intriguing player to me is Fennell. Is he a bust? Great find? Role player? Clutch guy?

 

[DomeHolmes]

If Deng commits he will be hard to keep off the floor. He’s not a good shooter but great shooter for a guy 6’9”. He will play small forward. I doubt White sees any time at small forward. He will backup Freeman. Kyle is going to start and be just fine. I think Donnie will be his backup the most allowing Soure and White to get on the floor.

I think depending on matchups Donnie plays a little center. But I hate the thought of him picking up defensive fouls guarding a low post threat.

 

[Orangezoo]

This seems to be a good guesstimate of minutes. The wild cards to me are JJ if he can’t fix his jumper, ( No need to ever let him get to a 3-17 game again). I could see his minutes go down. And if one of Kyle or White is the high motor beast around the basket offensively and defensively they can earn more minutes too.

Keep in mind, JJ is tight with Red but gone after the year. Anthony and Kingz can come back. May lead to a quicker hook.

3rd Center more important than Deng IMO too.

the most intriguing player to me is Fennell. Is he a bust? Great find? Role player? Clutch guy?

In theory a third center who is good enough to contribute is great and all but I don’t know how you can sell that to anyone vs them being at worse a backup. A developmental big who is flying under the radar is likely your best bet and hope that person can help in a break glass in case kind of role.

 

[DomeHolmes]

Just an idea about distribution of minutes…

Additional transfers make the roster better, and complicate the rotations.

The biggest minutes go to George and Starling, so good luck to everybody competing to be their backups. Fennell and Anthony get some time here. Fennell is essentially competing with Starling for backup point minutes and possibly time ahead of Anthony backing up Starling and Kingz.

Kingz and White essentially platoon at 3G/SF depending on matchups and who’s playing better. Both of them also are the primary backup for the other forward or guard spot respectively.

Anthony is also competing for minutes in the SG/3G spot. Since seeing Anthony measured out at 6’6” at an elite camp, I don’t mind him playing a bit of forward or third guard. Our starting lineup is going to have the point guard as the third best rebounder anyway.

I think our back court is going to be among the best in the ACC. I’m worried about our size and depth up front.

I’m very skeptical of Souare and Kyle being our only big men. I would really like to get somebody else that at least pushes Souare to the bench, and maybe even a center starting over Kyle. This might be the position compromise we had to make to get such great back court players like George and Kingz, as well as keeping Starling and Freeman around.

That said, Freeman is our best front court player. Right now, we have three other athletic 6’9” guys to help defend and dunk when George passes it to them.

George PG 32
Fennell CG 10
Starling CG 32
Anthony Wing 18
Kingz 3G 30
White CF 18
Freeman PF 32
Souare PF 15
Kyle C 23

It has been implied that Deng is nearly a done deal, but even so, he isn’t fixing the center issue. He plays smaller than Souare. But depth would be welcome, and Deng is at worst quality depth. Womack probably is as well, and at any rate, he’s here.

Adding another actual big man, with strength and athleticism, no matter how raw, would get us to 12 on the roster.

Then we take in one of the Davis, Carlos, Lucas Taylor lower level veteran types for the last roster spot. Or maybe a tall fast twitch kid from a place that doesn’t play much basketball… somebody like Souare was two years ago, for instance.

If Deng commits, where do you think his minutes come from? Probably 5 from Kingz, 5 from Souare . Can’t see Kyle, Donnie or White playing less. Are there more minutes for him?

 

[DomeHolmes]

In theory a third center who is good enough to contribute is great and all but I don’t know how you can sell that to anyone vs them being at worse a backup. A developmental big who is flying under the radar is likely your best bet and hope that person can help in a break glass in case kind of role.

Agree 100%. No guaranteed minutes but emergency only. If Kyle went down for any reason we are in trouble. Give me an Eric Rodgers or Billy Ceulik. (Probably screwed up his name)

 

[Niastri]

I think depending on matchups Donnie plays a little center. But I hate the thought of him picking up defensive fouls guarding a low post threat.

I very much hope they use Freeman at center only when they see a matchup they can exploit, and not merely on the regular.

 

[RedtheGOB]

I very much hope they use Freeman at center only when they see a matchup they can exploit, and not merely on the regular.

This is the way. The people that can't imagine Donnie at the 5 are only looking at him playing defense against some giant big with post moves. Very few teams have those and the offense he gives us should equal out.

Donnie isn't going to be banging on the other teams 250 pound center in the low post for 30 mins. He's going to play the 5 and go out to the perimeter to take jumpers and he can make them. The other teams are not going to want to send their bigs out to guard Donnie cuz that will open things up for Georgie and JJ to slash in the paint.

 

[Niastri]

This is the way. The people that can't imagine Donnie at the 5 are only looking at him playing defense against some giant big with post moves. Very few teams have those and the offense he gives us should equal out.

Donnie isn't going to be banging on the other teams 250 pound center in the low post for 30 mins. He's going to play the 5 and go out to the perimeter to take jumpers and he can make them. The other teams are not going to want to send their bigs out to guard Donnie cuz that will open things up for Georgie and JJ to slash in the paint.

If Freeman gets matched up against another teams post-up center, it’s a race to see who gets in foul trouble quicker. One benefit of our team is that we’ll have quick big forwards who should be able to double team in the post and recover quickly.

On the other end, you could see teams switching to put a smaller guy on Freeman at the 3 point line, to protect their center from defending in space. That will leave Freeman the choice of shooting over the smaller player, posting him up (forcing a double team), or finding one of our dunkers in the lane when the center gets pulled out.

I love the matchup problems Freeman can generate if he plays center. I just don’t want him to have to play it very much. It’s a physically demanding position for a guy 20-30lbs heavier than him. We don’t want him playing there too often.