Syracuse men’s basketball: Kadary Richmond enters transfer portal

Syracuse Orange fans were expecting more transfers out of the program after Jim Boeheim said yesterday that he expected more guys to leave. Tuesday morning, a potential key piece to the Orange rotation is set to be the next player out the door as Kadary Richmond entered the transfer portal, per reports.

Richmond was a key defensive player for the Orange, ranking fourth in the ACC in steals with 1.64 per game. His length at the top of the zone caused problems for opponents looking to get the ball to the high post and from shooting open threes. Richmond was one of five players to feature in every Syracuse game this season and averaged 21 minutes per game. He averaged 6.3 points per game and shot 45.3% from the floor, showing a great dribble-drive ability and excellent passing as well.

This could easily be seen as a case of Richmond looking for more playing time for good reason. The vast majority of games showcased that Richmond was by far and away the better point guard to play in Jim Boeheim’s team on both sides of the floor, yet the coach stuck with Joe Girard for the majority of the minutes at the one. The Daily Orange’s Anthony Dabbundo has already reported that top Power Five programs such as Florida State and Kentucky are interested in Richmond.

Syracuse fans should see this as a major loss for the program, and the coaches need to as well. Many people believed, and with good reason, that Richmond should have already been given the starting point guard spot during the season. At the very least, he looked to be in a good position to take the starting role next year. This means that once again, the Orange coaching staff enters the offseason with little, or in this case, no depth at the guard position.

Richmond adds himself to the growing list of players leaving the Orange program as John Bol Ajak and Robert Braswell have reportedly entered their names into the transfer portal as well. Quincy Guerrier could leave Syracuse also as he is reportedly testing out his NBA Draft prospects. It is important to note that just because a player enters the portal, it doesn’t mean they have to transfer. But in all likelihood, Syracuse is seemingly losing one of its most important pieces that played an integral role in leading the team to a Sweet 16 berth this year.

Update (12:00 pm): Per The Daily Orange’s Danny Emerman, Jim Boeheim told Richmond that Girard was still going to be the starting point guard next season.