Syracuse Basketball: Here’s why John Bol Ajak adds critical big-man depth

I have to admit that when word broke that Syracuse basketball redshirt freshman center John Bol Ajak would come back to the Hill, it pleasantly surprised me.

Ajak had entered his name into the NCAA’s transfer portal, but according to Mike Waters of Syracuse.com, the Orange big man is returning to the ‘Cuse.

This is a positive development, in my humble opinion. Yes, it does now appear that the Orange next season will have four centers on its roster, assuming that freshman Frank Anselem does, indeed, stay with the team.

But with that many centers, guys can play freely and aggressively, and if one or more of them gets into foul trouble during a particular game, Syracuse basketball head coach Jim Boeheim should have plenty of depth in his rotation to be just fine.

So for context, heading into the 2021–22 campaign, the ‘Cuse is expected to have four centers in Ajak, Anselem, sophomore Jesse Edwards and Bourama Sidibe, who is coming back to Central New York for a fifth year.

At forward, meanwhile, the Orange is bringing in 2021 five-star commit Benny Williams, Cornell transfer Jimmy Boeheim and Villanova transfer Cole Swider. Freshman Chaz Owens, if he gets some run, could also likely suit up at small forward.

John Bol Ajak returning is big-time for Syracuse basketball.

Since Sidibe was injured for the bulk of last season, it’s unclear how he will perform in the upcoming campaign. So having Edwards, Ajak and Anselem on the roster is key.

Additionally, the Orange’s three forwards, while talented, are also all new to the program. Should either Williams, Boeheim or Swider struggle, or get into foul trouble, then it’s certainly conceivable that Ajak or Anselem, in particular, could slide on over to power forward at times.

A stanza ago, Jim Boeheim even made comments on more than one occasion that suggested perhaps Ajak is a better fit at power forward than at center.

And I think that Anselem, who boasts tremendous athleticism, can perform admirably at power forward, as well as center. Since many of the Syracuse basketball big men are either newbies or somewhat unproven, having this additional depth from Ajak should really provide a boost to the team’s line-up in 2021–22.