J.J. Starling could be back as early as Saturday for Syracuse basketball when the Orange will face Drexel in Philadelphia, head coach Adrian Autry says.
Where the 'Cuse really needs the senior shooting guard, though, is at the NIL-driven Players Era Festival in Las Vegas near the end of November. In a perfect world, the 6-foot-4, 206-pound Starling returns to the Orange line-up on Saturday against Drexel or, at the latest, this coming Tuesday night when Syracuse basketball will host Monmouth at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Syracuse basketball coach Adrian Autry provides an injury update on JJ Starling during his weekly visit on Orange Nation. pic.twitter.com/o2jisKNAB3
— Cuse Sports Talk (@CuseSportsTalk_) November 13, 2025
Based on how the 'Cuse (2-0) has played so far in the early part of the 2025-26 season, the Orange should be able to defeat both Drexel and Monmouth, whether Starling plays or not. When the 'Cuse gets to Vegas, it will need him. And ideally, Starling will have played some prior to the Players Era Festival commencing.
The preseason All-ACC second-team selection competed in the Orange's season opener against Binghamton for just three minutes before leaving with a lower-body injury. He didn't suit up against Delaware State.
Syracuse basketball senior guard J.J. Starling could return on Saturday.
In Starling's absence, freshman shooting guard Kiyan Anthony has played quite well. However, Anthony is a freshman just getting acclimated to the college game. Starling is a senior, and this is his third campaign with the 'Cuse program.
Autry says that Starling is "still day to day," and there is a "possibility" that he could return "as early as Saturday." The head coach added, "We expect him back soon."
In Las Vegas, the Orange will battle No. 1 Houston, No. 25 Kansas and a third opponent that is yet to be determined. Plus, after that, Syracuse basketball on December 2 will host No. 20 Tennessee in the ACC/SEC Challenge.
That's a daunting four-game stretch in the Orange's non-conference docket, and Starling being available will be huge if the 'Cuse wants to win a few of those contests. He missed seven games in 2024-25 due a broken left hand.
As a junior, Starling would go on to average 34.5 minutes, 17.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per encounter while making 40.7 percent from the field, 26.8 percent from beyond the arc and 68.5 percent from the free-throw line. He's a veteran leader of this Syracuse basketball team, and for the Orange to hear its name called on Selection Sunday come next April, Starling can't be out for an extended period of time.