This is probably a huge long shot, but we can all dream, right?
The possibility of two extremely talented brothers teaming up at Syracuse basketball in the 2026-27 season is enticing, even if not all that realistic. Only time will tell.
The transfer portal opened on Tuesday and will run through April 21. On Wednesday, word broke that Penn State freshman guard Kayden Mingo is entering the portal. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Mingo was awesome during the 2025-26 season.
NEWS: Penn State freshman Kayden Mingo will enter the transfer portal, his agency Excel Sports tells DraftExpress.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 8, 2026
Mingo started every game in the Big Ten, averaging 13.7 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.1 steals. Will be a top PG target nationally. pic.twitter.com/aNJwgBU265
He averaged 13.7 points, 4.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game while making 47.7 percent from the field, 24.4 percent from beyond the arc and 70.5 percent from the free-throw line.
Also on Wednesday, SU Athletics announced that Penn State associate head coach Jamal Brunt had officially joined head coach Gerry McNamara's staff as an assistant. So there's that.
In national transfer rankings from 247Sports, Mingo is rated four stars, No. 16 overall and No. 2 at combo guard. This brings us to his younger brother, 2026 five-star guard Dylan Mingo.
The Mingo brothers playing for Syracuse basketball would be fun, even if it's unlikely to happen.
The 6-foot-5, 190-pound Dylan Mingo is ranked No. 2 nationally and No. 1 at point guard within the 2026 class, per Rivals. He was offered a scholarship by the former Orange staff in June of 2025, but I don't think the 'Cuse was ever a serious contender for Mingo.
Mingo is committed to North Carolina, and the fellow Atlantic Coast Conference school just got a new head coach, former NBA championship-winning coach Michael Malone. Mingo has not reneged on his pledge to the Tar Heels, although the Internet rumors are certainly flying around that he could reopen his recruitment.
Another key point: Both Kayden Mingo and Dylan Mingo have suited up for Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, N.Y. Dylan Mingo was a senior there this past season. One of their teammates at Long Island Lutheran was Syracuse basketball freshman guard/wing Kiyan Anthony, who will likely return to the Orange for his sophomore year.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if McNamara and Brunt make a run at Kayden Mingo. Dylan Mingo, on the other hand, would have to de-commit from UNC for SU to have a shot with him. So let's see how things shake out.
McNamara and his staff definitely want to bring on a starting point guard for 2026-27, whether through the portal or other recruiting channels, along with additional back-court players. Landing the Mingo brothers might be a pipe dream, but ... you never know.