Syracuse basketball, this week, secured a commitment from a fifth college transfer so far this off-season, and the Orange's class via the portal is currently in the top five around the country, according to one of the primary recruiting services.
In recent days, per his social media accounts, Montana State junior guard Bryce Zephir announced his pledge to the 'Cuse. A huge congrats and welcome from Orange Nation to Bryce!
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Zephir, who hails from Carson, Calif., would appear to provide additional depth in the Syracuse basketball backcourt for the upcoming 2025-26 season. He also seems to have strong positional size as a backup point guard/combo guard in head coach Adrian Autry's rotation.
My brudda🤞🏾 https://t.co/mw5Q7RWEmY
— Bryce Zephir (@ZephirBryce) April 17, 2025
Based on some articles that I've read about Zephir in recent days, he will provide the 'Cuse with high energy and toughness. In a press release from mid-April of last year, Montana State head coach Matt Logie said in part, "Offensively Bryce can attack the defense at all three levels with his ability to shoot the ball, great court vision and passing ability, and the physicality and size to touch the paint in a variety of ways. He will also bring a physical and versatile presence to our backcourt defensively with his size and athleticism."
Syracuse basketball is faring well this off-season in the transfer portal.
Zephir has previously played for Salt Lake Community College in Utah, North Texas and Chipola College in Marianna, Fla. In 2024-25, as a junior at Big Sky Conference member Montana State (15-18
overall), he averaged 19.6 minutes, 5.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest while making 46.9 percent from the field, 29.7 percent from 3-point land and 61.5 percent from the free-throw line.
When I wrote this article, the Orange's transfer class arrived at No. 5 nationwide, according to the On3 Web site. Over at 247Sports, the team's transfer cycle is No. 27.
The current transfer portal window in college basketball will run through April 22. At this juncture, Syracuse basketball's 2025-26 roster includes five college transfers, two returnees from this past stanza, and four 2025 signees at the prep level.
The Orange's 11 scholarship players are noted below, and the squad still has four scholarships remaining.
Naithan George, point guard (he's a transfer from Georgia Tech)
J.J. Starling, shooting guard
Nate Kingz, shooting guard/small forward (he's a transfer from Oregon State)
Donnie Freeman, power forward
William Kyle lll, power forward/center (he's a transfer from UCLA)
Kiyan Anthony, shooting guard
Luke Fennell, combo guard
Sadiq White Jr., forward
Aaron Womack, shooting guard/small forward
Ibrahim Souare, power forward/center (he's a transfer from Georgia Tech)
Bryce Zephir, combo guard (he's a transfer from Montana State)