Syracuse women’s basketball: Emily Engstler enters transfer portal, per reports

Syracuse Orange women’s basketball player Emily Engstler has entered her name into the transfer portal, according to reports. Syracuse.com also reports that freshman Faith Blackstone entered her name as well.

The announcement comes just days after Syracuse’s 2020-21 season ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The team fell to UConn, 83-47. Engstler led the team with 12 points, eight rebounds, and two steals in the loss.

Engstler had a stellar season off the bench, averaging 10.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per contest. Engstler started in all five postseason games for the Orange. In addition to conference sixth man of the year, Engstler was named to the All-ACC Tournament Second Team and All-ACC Academic Team.

A five-star recruit out of NYC, Engstler came to Syracuse as the No. 9 player in the Class of 2018 by espnW HoopGurlz. In high school, she was named the 2018 New York State Gatorade Player of the Year and McDonald’s All-American.

Engstler, a junior, would have likely started all next season and been the face of the team with Tiana Mangakahia gone. She averaged 7.8 points and 7.5 rebounds in 81 games for ‘Cuse.

Blackstone is one of the four players who did not play in the postseason due to a violation of team rules. The freshman played in six games this season and averaged 2.3 points per contest.

After three solid years with the Orange & White, the news is shocking. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments!

UPDATE: Both Engstler and Coach Quentin Hillsman posted on Twitter, confirming the news: