Syracuse Basketball: Marek Dolezaj unsure of his future, cherishes SU

Syracuse basketball senior power forward/center Marek Dolezaj hasn’t decided whether he will return for another season after the 2020-21 term, something that all winter-sport athletes are afforded by the NCAA as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

So when the 6-foot-10 Dolezaj, a soft-spoken, delightful young man, steps onto the court on Wednesday inside the Carrier Dome against Clemson, it could be his last home game in an Orange uniform. Then again, maybe not.

Either way, when Dolezaj participated in a Zoom call with media members on Tuesday afternoon, he certainly provided a lot of lovely reflections on his time in Central New York, both as a player and away from the hardwood.

It’s impossible not to like, and admire, Dolezaj. He gives 110 percent when he competes, he’s unselfish, he has tremendous court vision, and he knows the game quite well.

Dolezaj even touched on the possibility of coaching down the road, and he undeniably will thrive in that profession. First, though, once he departs the Hill, Dolezaj should have ample opportunities to suit up as a pro player, whether in the United States or overseas.

Dolezaj, whose hometown is in Bratislava, Slovakia, will ultimately go down as one of my favorite all-time Syracuse basketball players, and I’m sure many other ‘Cuse fans echo this sentiment.

Syracuse basketball senior big man Marek Dolezaj is unsure whether he will come back or not.

Dolezaj says that, over the past four years at Syracuse University, he has grown a lot, both on and off the court. Dolezaj notes that he has so many tremendous memories of his time in CNY, like when the Orange went on a magical run to the Sweet 16 in 2018, which was his freshman stanza.

He calls Syracuse his second family and adds that he will always bleed Orange. In his virtual call, Dolezaj thanked all of the ‘Cuse fans out there who have supported him over the last four years.

Even though Dolezaj said on more than one occasion that he’s focused on the present, not the future, he does acknowledge that senior night on Wednesday versus Clemson will be “100 percent weird.”

It came so fast, he says, but Dolezaj will enjoy the moment, do what he can to help the ‘Cuse beat the Tigers, and then go from there as it pertains to the ACC Tournament, possibly the NCAA Tournament, and his future beyond that.

In his senior term, Dolezaj is averaging 10.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest, while connecting on 55.2 percent from the field and 85.2 percent from the charity stripe, according to ESPN statistics.

Syracuse basketball head coach Jim Boeheim has said on more than one instance of late that Dolezaj is the team’s most important or valuable player.

Dolezaj says that Boeheim is a Hall of Fame coach and knows what he’s talking about, and therefore it’s encouraging to hear such high praise.

However, Dolezaj will continue to work hard, improve his craft, be unselfish (maybe too unselfish) and serve as the consummate teammate.

That’s who he is. And that’s why an endless supply of Orange fans appreciate and respect what Dolezaj has done for ‘Cuse Nation.