Syracuse Basketball: Top 2021 transfers include several with Orange ties

Syracuse basketball, so far this off-season, has seen multiple players transfer out of the program, as well as several transfer in, part of the sport’s free-agency explosion resulting from the NCAA’s new transfer policy.

According to an abundance of media reports, more than 1,000 college basketball players have entered into the transfer portal, brought on at least in part by the NCAA allowing student-athletes in all sports to transfer once while still retaining immediate eligibility.

It’s a seismic shift for college basketball, and one that isn’t likely to go away. In any event, CBS Sports writer David Cobb has published a piece that ranks the top-85 transfers in the 2021 recruiting cycle, and we’re taking a look at those who made the cut and have a connection to the ‘Cuse.

Check out which current and former Syracuse basketball players are among the top transfers.

Highest on the list, at No. 20, is sophomore forward Quincy Guerrier, who recently said that he would move to Pac-12 Conference member Oregon while continuing to test the NBA Draft waters.

Guerrier, a season ago, was named to the All-ACC third team. We recently put together a column about why he elected to transfer from the Orange to Oregon.

Following Guerrier, at No. 28, is freshman combo guard Kadary Richmond, who has departed the Hill to join former Big East Conference rival Seton Hall.

A four-star, top-100 prospect coming out of prep school, Richmond received solid minutes as a freshman in Central New York. He displayed tremendous defensive instincts as well as a strong ability to facilitate on offense and drive to the basket with precision.

At No. 69 is Cole Swider, a junior forward with great length and deep range who decided to transfer from Big East foe Villanova to the ‘Cuse program.

Swider was a four-star, top-50 prospect during his high-school tenure, and he had the Orange on his shortlist of finalists before choosing the Wildcats. Now, as a member of the ‘Cuse, Swider is expected to compete against his former squad in the upcoming campaign.

Besides Swider, Syracuse basketball has two other guys transferring in, and they are forward Jimmy Boeheim from Cornell and point guard Symir Torrence from Marquette.

Conversely, two former Orange players who have transferred out are redshirt sophomore forward Robert Braswell and freshman forward Woody Newton. Newton transferred to Oklahoma State, while Braswell moved on to Charlotte.