Syracuse Basketball: 5-star Benny Williams primed for big freshman impact

Syracuse basketball 2021 commit Benny Williams should have a golden opportunity to do a ton of damage for the Orange as a freshman in the upcoming campaign.

The 6-foot-8 Williams, a five-star forward from the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., is one of the highest-rated recruits for the ‘Cuse in recent program history. He is ranked as high as No. 15 nationally in his cycle, according to Rivals.com.

Head coach Jim Boeheim often will prefer to have veterans in his starting rotation, and that could hold true in the 2021-22 stanza. However, given all the roster changes for the Orange of late, I’ll be interested to see whether Williams contends for a starting spot at forward.

Just as Boeheim said would occur, the Syracuse basketball line-up is undergoing a significant make-over, with the squad experiencing defections and picking up additions. While the roster is becoming a bit clearer, it wouldn’t surprise me if further shake-ups transpire.

One of the latest developments is that junior forward Alan Griffin plans to enter the NBA Draft and “is expected to sign with an agent,” per a report by college basketball insider Adam Zagoria.

Griffin, a transfer from Illinois, suited up for one season on the Hill. For part of 2020-21, he led the Orange in scoring, although Griffin did struggle down the stretch.

I figured that he would test the NBA Draft waters and maybe hit the NCAA’s transfer portal, although I didn’t necessarily think that Griffin would forgo the rest of his collegiate eligibility altogether.

Syracuse basketball five-star commit Benny Williams can shine in his first year.

Griffin is one of numerous ‘Cuse forwards who aren’t expected to return in 2021-22. Redshirt sophomore Robert Braswell and freshman Woody Newton are in the transfer portal.

Sophomore Quincy Guerrier is testing the NBA Draft process, although he certainly could come back to Central New York for his junior stint.

Senior power forward/center Marek Dolezaj recently revealed on social media that he would pursue professional opportunities rather than exercise his option to compete for Syracuse basketball for an extra term, something afforded to all players by the NCAA amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

If Guerrier elects not to return to the Orange, then the forward positions become fairly wide open for Williams and Villanova transfer Cole Swider to make their marks right away as newbies to the program.

Of course, there continues to be chatter online about the possibility of former Cornell forward Jimmy Boeheim joining the ‘Cuse. Even if that does happen, Williams will boast a terrific chance to showcase his skills and talents for Syracuse basketball during his freshman season.