Syracuse Basketball: Pre-Summer Player Rankings for 2017-2018 Season

Poor Chukwu. Last year, he missed most of the season because John Gillon hit him in the eye with a hard pass. This upcoming season, i’m sure he’s anxious to play and make up for lost time. Paschal Chukwu can be a huge difference maker in the center of the 2-3 zone Boeheim employs.

In his limited action last year, it was clear that Chukwu was great at getting offensive rebounds for extra possessions, and blocking shots. Standing at 7’2, according to ESPN.com, he is imposing to any player who meets him in the lane. He may not be the greatest offensive threat on the team by any means, but that will come in time. He can develop that over the next two seasons.

If he can be the defensive stopper we think he can be, and continue to grab lots of rebounds, Syracuse Basketball may be better next year than we think. Does that mean I think he’s going to be a star, no, but he does have prior experience at Providence before he transferred that gives him a leg up over others on this list behind him. A lot of other players may move past him on this list this season, but as of right now, previous college experience is what puts him fourth in these rankings.