In many ways, Gerry McNamara, another Syracuse alum who came up under Jim Boeheim’s tutelage, is more of the same for the Orange after Adrian Autry’s failed tenure. However, that doesn’t mean he’s going to run it back with the same roster that led Syracuse to a 15-17 season in 2025-26.
The rebuild is underway even before the Transfer Portal officially opens on Tuesday, April 7, the day after the national championship game in Indianapolis. Freshman Aaron Womack III was the first to announce his intention to transfer, Tiefing Diawara was second, and on Friday, Tyler Betsey became No. 3.
NEWS: Syracuse forward Tyler Betsey plans to enter the @TransferPortal, source tells @On3. ⁰⁰The 6-8 sophomore averaged 6.7 points per game this season. Began his career at Cincinnati. Represented by @lamfsports. https://t.co/AlZPvEf3Tn pic.twitter.com/DgVvCvViQH
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) April 3, 2026
Betsey began his career at Cincinnati, joining Wes Miller’s program as a four-star recruit in the 2024 class, but transferred to Western New York after playing just 11 minutes a game in a disappointing freshman season. Through 31 games at Syracuse, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 6.7 points in 18 minutes off the bench.
Tyler Betsey set to enter the Transfer Portal after one year at Syracuse
It’s still unclear if McNamara is looking to retool the Syracuse roster or overhaul it. If it is set to be a complete rebuild, it will likely have Siena transfer Gavin Doty at the heart of it. Doty has announced his intention to enter the portal after he became a unanimous first-team All-MAAC selection and led the Saints to the NCAA Tournament.
Sophomore Donnie Freeman had yet to announce his intention for the portal window after leading Syracuse with 16.5 points through 23 games this past year. Still whether he stays or not, it will be a monumental task for McNamara this offseason.
Syracuse is a long way from the top of the ACC. Bets like Betsey, a former Top-50 recruit in the country, were worthwhile for Autry with his back against the wall heading into Year 3 of his tenure, but McNamara needs to pursue more proven production to set a reliable baseline to begin the new era.
While there has been a considerable amount of portal activity this week, between Womack, Diawara, and Betsey, the Orange has yet to lose a single start and only sacrificed 6.7 points per game, all from Betsey. Diawara played just four games, and Womack redshirted his freshman season.