Syracuse Basketball lost a lot of players to graduation and the NBA draft after this year. Inside the Loud House looks at what’s next for these players.
Busting Brackets
Syracuse Basketball lost a lot of talent when this season ended. They had two role players graduate, and two grad-transfers graduate. The Syracuse Basketball seniors were Center Dajuan Coleman, and Power forward Tyler Roberson. The grad transfers that are out of eligibility are Small forward Andrew White III, and Point guard John Gillon. In addition, Syracuse also lost star power forward/center Tyler Lydon to the NBA Draft. This mass exodus creates a lot for questions for next year.
That aside, what’s next for Syracuse’s seniors and Tyler Lydon (signed with an agent) now that their eligibility is up? Are they NBA bound? Are the looking more at an overseas professional career? Will be seeing them on the sidelines in a few years as coaches, maybe at Syracuse? We answer some of these questions, and looks at where they may end up and how they’ll fare.
SG/SF- Andrew White III
NBA Draft Player Ranking: CBSSports.com: 84, DraftExpress.com: Not In Top 100
Mock Draft Prediction: Late Second Round To Undrafted
- Draft Express- Second Round: Pick 60 (Atlanta Hawks)
- NBA Draft Room- Undrafted, but on the bubble
What’s Next:
Andrew White may go undrafted in the NBA Draft. However, I do think he’ll be added in the offseason as a free agent. He doesn’t seem like D-League material to me because he’s better and more talented than that. He can shoot the ball well which is something any team can use on its bench or rotation. He shot a solid 40% from three for Syracuse Basketball this season, according to Sports-Reference.com. Even if he gets into the league as a 3-point specialist, I think he can make a rotation somewhere. I do not think Andrew White III will be an overseas player, as his talent warrants better, but we’ll have to wait and see.
PF/C- Tyler Lydon
NBA Draft Player Ranking: CBSSports.com: 26, DraftExpress.com: 25
Mock Draft Prediction: Late First Round To Early Second Round
The Sports Bank- 1st round: Pick 26 (Brooklyn Nets)
Draft Express- 1st round: Pick 23 (Orlando Magic)
NBA Draft Room- 2nd round: Pick 39 (Utah Jazz)
TBTBB- 1st round: Pick 25 (Utah Jazz)
NBA Draft Net-1st round: Pick 23 (Toronto Raptors)
CBS Sports: Parrish- 1st round: Pick 15 (Denver Nuggets)
Fueled by Sports’ 2017 NBA Mock- 1st round: Pick 27 (Portland Trail Blazers)
Hoops Hype- 1st round: Pick 23 (Orlando Magic)
Sports Gaming Rosters-1st round: Pick 27 (Portland Trail Blazers)
What’s Next:
Most NBA Draft experts (as shown above) think Tyler Lydon is a late first round pick. That could be very beneficial to Lydon because he could end up being a nice rotation player in the NBA. In addition, he might end up on a consistent playoff team, which would be an even bigger bonus. Think of him in like a Draymond Green role where he can occasionally shoot three’s, play in the post when needed, and block shots. Lydon is a capable defender and stretch forward who can shoot the three and mid-range jumper, and its because of that scouts love his potential. That potential alone will give him minutes on the court. He isn’t starter material until he gets stronger and puts on some bulk, but he is a player I can see staying in the NBA for awhile, similar to Dion Waiters.
PF/SF Tyler Roberson
NBA Draft Player Ranking: CBSSports.com: Not in Top 75 , DraftExpress.com: Not In Top 100
Mock Draft Prediction: Undrafted
What’s Next:
Tyler Roberson could’ve been so great with Syracuse Basketball this year, but he just never came alive. He had a chance to improve his draft stock, if he had any, but he never really showed up. His minutes were limited this year mostly because of his lack of motivation and aggression when on the court. Hence, why he’s considered an undrafted NBA prospect.
In addition, Roberson is great rebounder when he wants to be, and a decent scorer in the post when put in the right spot. However, he never demands the ball, and he doesn’t look for his shot. In addition, I think Roberson, sadly, is destined for the D-League. He has talent, but not enough passion and drive to keep him in the NBA for more than 10-day contracts. I think some NBA teams will give him a chance, but if he doesn’t make the most of the opportunity, then I see him playing overseas for the remainder of his pro career.
C- Dajuan Coleman
NBA Draft Player Ranking: CBSSports.com: Not in Top 75 , DraftExpress.com: Not In Top 100
Mock Draft Prediction: Undrafted
What’s Next:
Coleman was limited by knee injuries for most of his Syracuse Basketball career, but he stuck with the program anyhow. He seemed like a on-and-done NBA prospect coming out of high school, but unfortunately because of injuries he never really lived up to the billing. He has the talent to eventually make the NBA, but he still is raw all-around. In addition, he needs to put in some work, and then maybe he’ll get an opportunity. In the meantime, I think he’ll be either in the D-League, or working on his craft overseas. He has skills, he just needs to put it altogether before he gets an opportunity as a role player or backup in the NBA.
PG- John Gillon
NBA Draft Player Ranking: CBSSports.com: 73, DraftExpress.com: Not In Top 100
Mock Draft Prediction: Late Second Round To Undrafted
What’s Next:
Most fans and experts would agree John Gillon is a talented point guard, and a decent prospect. That’s mostly because he sees the floor well, is a decent passer, and a floor general. The one problem is that the NBA, for the most part, doesn’t accept good point guards; they take in the best point guards. Gillon is talented enough to be a starter overseas and not just a role player, but if he settles for the NBA it might be a long wait. Therefore, he could play in the D-League, but I doubt he’ll choose that path if he has no shot at the NBA.
I truly hope and wish he gets a chance at a 10-day contract or something like that in the NBA, but I find it highly unlikely. He is a good college player, but he’s probably too small and too inconsistent to be an NBA player. I wish him the best wherever he ends up, and all things considered, I think he’ll have decent pro career wherever he ends up.
Next: Syracuse Basketball: Top 10 Moments During the 2016 Season
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