Syracuse Orange Basketball 2016-2017 Player Previews: Taurean Thompson

Each day leading up to Orange Madness we will be releasing our player previews for the 2016-2017 Syracuse basketball season. Today’s player preview: Taurean Thompson

With a late addition to Syracuse’s 2016 recruiting cycle, Taurean Thompson decided to join Matthew Moyer and Tyus Battle, completing the No. 17 recruiting class in the nation according to 247sports.

Thompson comes to Syracuse by way of New Jersey. He played high school ball at Brewster Academy — the same program that produced C.J. Fair and Chris McCullough — and St. Anthony’s. Thompson finds himself in a unique position as he figured to earn playing time behind Tyler Roberson and Tyler Lydon at forward. With the late addition of Andrew White, it will be interesting to see if he can find playing time as traditionally Jim Boeheim likes to play seven or eight guys.

Standing at 6-foot-10, Thompson is long and athletic as you might expect from a Syracuse forward. He’s also a viable option to play the center position in the 2-3 zone. Thompson has good basketball instincts — he has good moves in the low-post, his passing is underrated and he can even step out and make the 15 foot jumper.

The challenge will be for Thompson to play well in limited action. His playing time will likely be few and far between by the time conference play rolls around, but rest assured that Syracuse got a gem in Thompson.

Syracuse Orange Basketball 2016-2017 Player Previews: John Gillon

Syracuse Orange Basketball 2016-2017 Player Previews: Frank Howard

Syracuse Orange Basketball 2016-2017 Player Previews: Tyler Roberson

Syracuse Orange Basketball 2016-2017 Player Previews: DaJuan Coleman

Syracuse Orange Basketball 2016-2017 Player Previews: Paschal Chukwu

Syracuse Orange Basketball 2016-2017 Player Previews: Matthew Moyer