Syracuse Basketball: ‘Cuse transfer class in top 10 nationally, No. 1 in ACC

The Syracuse basketball 2023 transfer class is currently ranked No. 10 across the country and No. 1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, according to the 247Sports Web site.

This off-season, the Orange lost four players to the NCAA’s transfer portal, but the ‘Cuse also brought in four transfers. Those joining the ‘Cuse for the 2023-24 season are guard J.J. Starling, guard/wing Chance Westry, guard Kyle Cuffe Jr. and center Naheem McLeod.

Several of the primary recruiting services rate Starling, a Central New York native, as a top-15 transfer nationwide this off-season. He’s a former five-star, top-25 overall player in the 2022 recruiting cycle.

Losing center Jesse Edwards, shooting guard Joe Girard III and others this off-season was rough, however, I think that first-year head coach Adrian Autry and his assistants have done a wonderful job filling out the team’s roster ahead of 2023-24.

Besides Starling, Westry is a former four-star, top-40 prospect in the 2022 class. Cuffe boasts a ton of athleticism, although in late June, Mike Waters of Syracuse.com reported that Cuffe, unfortunately, suffered an injury. McLeod didn’t play a lot of minutes a season ago but has loads of potential.

This four-member transfer class for the Orange, to me, is intriguing and holds much promise. I’m not surprised it is ranked so high nationally.

Syracuse basketball has a highly rated, talented 2023 transfer class.

Let’s check out some transfers rankings of these four ‘Cuse incoming players via 247Sports, On3 and Rivals.com. These ratings are subject to change, and they came at the time of this writing.

J.J. Starling
6-foot-4 sophomore guard from Notre Dame
247Sports: 4 stars, No. 5 overall
On3: 4 stars, No. 7 overall
Rivals.com: 4 stars, No. 11 overall

Chance Westry
6-foot-6 redshirt freshman guard/wing from Auburn
247Sports: 4 stars, No. 75 overall
On3: 3 stars, No. 105 overall
Rivals.com: 4 stars, No. 58 overall

Kyle Cuffe Jr.
6-foot-2 redshirt freshman guard from Kansas
247Sports: 3 stars
On3: 3 stars, No. 219 overall
Rivals.com: 3 stars

Naheem McLeod
7-foot-4 junior center from Florida State
247Sports: 3 stars
On3: 3 stars, No. 244 overall
Rivals.com: 3 stars

In late June, Kevin Flaherty of 247Sports published his list of the top-10 ACC transfers for 2023-24. Starling checked in at No. 1, while Westry arrived at No. 10.