Latest Syracuse men’s basketball scholarship breakdown

Allen Griffin and Adrian Autry landed the Syracuse Orange’s first class of 2020 recruit on Tuesday with Woody Newton — a four-star forward from Maryland. While it won’t replace Oshae Brissett — who announced last week he is moving on to the NBA — Newton’s arrival next year will at least strengthen a potential position of need.

Syracuse, without a senior on its youngest roster in recent memory, now has 13 scholarships for the 2020-21 season if nobody leaves the program. Brissett’s departure left the team with 12 players for the upcoming 2019-20 slate.

The Orange have offers out to 12 other prospects for 2020 according to 247 Sports, including Andre Jackson — who told TNIAAM that SU was one of his top schools. There’s also plenty of potential for turnover in the next 365 days on the roster. Over the years, SU players have transferred, left mid-season and surprisingly played their way into the NBA Draft.

The latter option could happen for a player like guard Jalen Carey, who will likely be the team’s starting point guard after limited minutes last season. Or Elijah Hughes, whose role will be critical for the upcoming campaign, and could shoot well enough to receive draft consideration.

For now, the Orange do not have space for another player in 20-21. Hughes, Marek Dolezaj and Bourama Sidibe currently figure to return for senior seasons, and Howard Washington should get a redshirt for last year. Buddy Boeheim is currently on scholarship, though people have spoken in the past about him possibly playing with walk-on status since his father is a SU employee (the highest paid on campus). He would have 90% of his tuition waived under Syracuse policy regardless.

It’s unclear if SU could wriggle another scholarship spot by reclassifying Buddy. Syracuse can add to this year’s roster by picking up a graduate transfer. For reference, Andrew White III did not officially announce he joined SU until August before the 2016-17 season.

Looking at the year-by-year breakdown, here’s a more succinct look at the scholarship situation:

(by graduation year)

• 2020: N/A
• 2021: Marek Dolezaj, Bourama Sidibe, Elijah Hughes
• 2022: Robert Braswell, Buddy Boeheim, Jalen Carey, Howard Washington
• 2023: John Bol Ajak, Jesse Edwards, Joe Girard, Brycen Goodine, Quincy Guerrier
• 2024: Woody Newton