Syracuse Basketball: Dishing out player grades, good and bad, for 2021-22

Jesse Edwards, junior center

What a tremendous break-through junior season from Edwards. He didn’t get a whole lot of run as a sophomore, but in 2021-22, he became a key piece of the Orange rotation.

For my money, prior to getting injured, Edwards was the most important player within the squad’s line-up. He appeared in 24 games, averaging 28.0 minutes, 12.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks a game, while making 69.5 percent of his field-goal attempts and 59.8 percent from the free-throw line.

In February, Edwards’ season came to a halt due to injury. Given the numerous losses that the ‘Cuse sustained with Jesse unavailable, it became clear to me how important he was for Syracuse basketball on both ends of the floor.

Edwards absolutely was a contender for the ACC’s most improved player award, and he was among the league leaders in blocked shots before he got hurt.

His biggest issue was staying on the floor, as Edwards all too frequently would foul out, with some of those fouls that he would commit completely unnecessary. If he cleans that up and improves his free-throw shooting, Edwards could be a force to be reckoned with in his senior stanza.
Grade: B+

Bourama Sidibe, graduate student center

Sidibe’s career in Central New York, sadly, was hampered by injuries, including in 2021-22. He appeared in just 13 games, averaging 11.8 minutes, 3.0 points and 2.8 boards per encounter, while hitting on 65.2 percent from the field and 64.3 percent from the free-throw line.

One bright spot for Bourama was when he registered 11 points, four rebounds and three assists in a blow-out home loss to Duke in late February.

I’ll always wonder “what-if” regarding Sidibe’s time on the Hill, because he unfortunately was often injured.
Grade: C