Thank you, J.J.
This season has been rough. Everyone knows it. Syracuse basketball players, coaches, fans, alumni and on and on. No need to belabor that point.
On Saturday afternoon, the Orange will host long-time rival Pittsburgh in the 2025-26 regular-season finale. Then, the 'Cuse will head to next week's ACC Tournament in Charlotte, N.C.
THREAD: When Syracuse basketball hosts Pitt on Saturday at the Dome in the regular-season finale, participating in SU's senior day will be senior guard J.J. Starling, senior center William Kyle III, redshirt senior SF Nate Kingz & grad student guard Bryce Zephir, I'm told. 🔽
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) March 5, 2026
When SU faces the Panthers on Saturday, four Syracuse basketball players will participate in senior-day festivities, I'm told. They are senior shooting guard J.J. Starling, redshirt senior small forward Nate Kingz, senior center William Kyle lll and graduate student guard Bryce Zephir.
Sending love to Syracuse basketball's seniors.
Kingz has said he may explore trying to get a waiver from the NCAA to play another season of Division I hoops, but the other three guys will be out of college eligibility, as far as I can tell.
Regardless of the team's record in the 2025-26 campaign, Orange Nation thanks these four players, especially Starling, who is from nearby Baldwinsville, N.Y., and has played for the 'Cuse for three years after spending his freshman term at Notre Dame.
Starling, last month, surpassed 1,000 career points in college. He has had an up-and-down collegiate career, and he's also had to deal with some injuries. I know that he's bummed about Syracuse's record in his three seasons on the Hill, and I hope that the Orange can grab a win on senior day for J.J. and his senior-day teammates.
In 2025-26, Starling is averaging 29.6 minutes, 11.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while making 43.4 percent from the field, 30.4 percent from beyond the arc and 54.8 percent from the free-throw line. Throughout his college career, he has struggled with his shooting.
Kyle, a transfer from UCLA, has been an absolute joy to watch this season. He's a high-energy guy and always gives it his all. Kyle's averaging 28.1 minutes, 8.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per contest (No. 2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) while hitting on 65.8 percent from the field.
Kingz, a transfer from Oregon State, came to Central New York with a reputation as a sharpshooter from deep after making 44.6 percent from the perimeter in 2024-25. This season, he started slow from long range but has come on strong more recently.
Currently, Kingz averages 31.0 minutes, 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per encounter while connecting on 48.1 percent from the field, 37.0 percent from 3-point land and 60.7 percent from the charity stripe.
A transfer from Montana State, Zephir has appeared in 19 contests so far for Syracuse basketball (15-15 overall, 6-11 in ACC), averaging 5.4 minutes per game. He hasn't done much offensively, but Zephir is a defensive spark off the bench, and he always seems to have a positive, upbeat attitude.
To reiterate, we all wanted this season to go better for our beloved Orange, but these four seniors represent Syracuse University well, and I thank them for that.