Grading the impact of Syracuse basketball's outgoing transfers
It's been an offseason of change for the Syracuse basketball team, with the Orange landing several incoming transfers and others choosing to depart the program via the portal.
Last week, I graded the impact of Syracuse's incoming players. This week, let's take a look at the talent leaving Central New York. (Note: The higher the grade, the more the outgoing transfer hurts the Orange.)
After four seasons in Syracuse, Joe Girard transferred in-conference to Clemson for his last year of eligibility. In what was a bittersweet departure, the move left both sides in new positions after the long tenure between Girard and the Orange.
Girard shot over 36 percent from 3-point range in the course of four seasons, totaling 1,652 points. His transfer to Clemson certainly hurts Syracuse on offense, taking away its most consistent 3-point shooter from last year's team.
The Orange will miss the offensive production from the veteran but have added athleticism to make up for some of his defensive inefficiencies. As for Girard, he looks to continue to be a long-range threat for the Tigers.
Transfer Grade: B
If the grade depicted the move for the player himself, Symir Torrence would be getting an A. However, how the move impacts Syracuse is what indicates the grade, and the reality is that the move doesn't affect SU much.
Although in limited minutes off the bench, Torrence was an effective spark plug in many ways. In the small amount of time on the court the fast-paced guard never shied away from pushing the pace.
Constant on-ball pressure and vision in the pick-and-roll game are some of Torrence’s strengths, and the Orange lost an effective role player who was known to do the little things to win.
Torrence transfers into a mid-major in hopes to become a leader and dominant force at guard for Binghmanton.
In his last year of eligibility Torrence would've probably seen less minutes with incoming transfers Kyle Cuffe Jr., JJ Starling and Chance Westry, plus the return of Judah Mintz and Quadir Copeland.
With those five combo guards, it's hard to see how Torrence would've seen any minutes in Red Autry's rotation.
Transfer Grade: D
No good for Syracuse came from this departure. Jesse Edwards became one of Syracuse's most dependable and reliable players last season, and a defensive force in the ACC.
After a year-ending injury two seasons ago, Edwards bounced back to have a dominant final season for Syracuse. He averaged 14.5 points per game and 10.3 rebounds, departing from the Orange after what was reported as differences in NIL possibilities between West Virginia and Syracuse.
Though Syracuse was able to land Naheem McLeod in the transfer portal, it's hard to imagine McLeod will be able to replicate the production that Edwards would've had in his final year of eligibility.
And behind McLeod is a similar group of unproven players, including Peter Carey, Mounir Hima and William Patterson.
Transfer Grade: A
Shortly after the end of last season, John Bol Ajak announced his transfer from Syracuse in what was an expected move for the three-year Orange veteran.
Ajak is leaving Syracuse in order to gain a greater role with more minutes. Most likely, this will come at a mid major where Ajak can develop his game in the last two years of his eligibility.
This departure left the Orange with less depth at wing, though he wasn't in line for any increase in playing time with the return of Benny Williams, Chris Bell and Justin Taylor.
Still, his presence on the team and the chemistry he created with teammates is worth noting as a loss.
Transfer Grade: C-
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