Syracuse Basketball: NBA scout dishes on Boeheim brothers, Cole Swider

Last month, former Syracuse basketball players Cole Swider and Jimmy Boeheim, both forwards, participated in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in Portsmouth, Va., where they suited up in front of NBA scouts and team execs.

More recently, earlier this month, former Orange shooting guard Buddy Boeheim competed in this year’s G League Elite Camp, with scouts, coaches and front-office executives in attendance.

Although Boeheim didn’t ultimately land an invite to the 2022 NBA Draft Combine, he did showcase his skills at the G League Elite Camp, and media reports say that he’s also worked out for several NBA squads.

Ahead of the NBA Draft, which will take place on June 23, the terrific Wes Cheng of sujuiceonline.com caught up with NBA scouting consultant Ryan Blake on a podcast.

Blake, who has seen the Boeheim brothers and Swider in action of late at these events I just mentioned, provided some interesting insights into this trio of former Orange players in his chat with The Juice on the Cuse Podcast.

An NBA scout gives his take on several former Syracuse basketball players.

Buddy Boeheim, who led the Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring during the 2021-22 stanza at 19.2 points per contest, recently connected on a ridiculous 71-of-80 attempts from beyond the arc when he worked out for the New York Knicks, according to college basketball insider Adam Zagoria.

"“Shooting-wise, when you’re 6-6 and have that kind of shooting touch, that’s always going to be wanted in our game,” Blake said, noting that if Buddy doesn’t get picked in the upcoming NBA Draft, “he’s going to have a lot of inquiries for the (NBA’s) summer league.”"

A lot of my fellow Orange hoops fans knocked the Boeheim brothers, Swider and pretty much the majority of the team’s 2021-22 roster for its perceived lack of athleticism.

"However, Blake said of Buddy Boeheim, “He may not have that fast-twitch quickness that other athletes have, but he has a good anticipation whether to go over or under a screen. And he’s also a good enough leader where he can direct his teammates.”"

At the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, Blake said that Swider didn’t shoot particularly well, but the scout praised Cole for his rebounding, for making his teammates better, and for his energetic play on both ends of the court.

Jimmy Boeheim, this past season on the Hill, showed that he can shoot it well from the perimeter and closer to the rim. The question, said Blake, is whether the elder Boeheim brother can hold his own on the defensive end.

The NBA scout said that Jimmy should get a chance to suit up in the pro summer league.