The majority of Syracuse basketball fans probably hadn't heard of international center Abdramane Siby, a 19-year-old who is originally from Mali, before Wednesday. That's because he's been playing overseas.
It was on Wednesday that the 7-foot Siby, who has a 7-foot-6 wingspan, committed to the Orange and head coach Gerry McNamara. Siby is the second international pledge for the 'Cuse over the past 10 days or so, joining 2026 four-star wing Mark Morano Mahmutovic from Slovenia.
While most SU fans (myself included) weren't familiar with Siby before Wednesday, make no mistake about it. He's an excellent defender and rim protector who has significant future potential, analysts and scouts say.
Love this for the Orange.
— Jon Chepkevich (@JonChep) April 15, 2026
Projects as an elite ACC defender from day one with his length, motor, mobility, and versatility.
Still needs to add mass to his frame and polish up his ball skills, but the flashes and foundation are there.
High character kid with real NBA upside. https://t.co/kJ3KFftEZd
Jon Chepkevich, the director of scouting for DraftExpress, said in a post on X that Siby "projects as an elite ACC defender from day one with his length, motor, mobility, and versatility. ... Still needs to add mass to his frame and polish up his ball skills, but the flashes and foundation are there. ... High character kid with real NBA upside."
In recent seasons, Siby has competed for a handful of professional teams in leagues around Europe. Most recently, in the 2025-26 campaign, Siby has played for Mega Superbet, a pro club in Belgrade, Serbia, that is part of the Adriatic Basketball Association.
Experts are high on new Syracuse basketball center Abdramane Siby.
Jonathan Givony, the founder of DraftExpress, told Syracuse.com on Wednesday that he thinks Siby is a "great pickup" for the Orange.
"He’s really gifted physically, can move really well. He’s got crazy length. He plays super hard. He’s got great instincts defensively," Givony said. “He’s got some things to work on offensively. He needs to gain strength - things that most 19-year-old centers need to do."
Other things that Givony said about Siby that caught my eye: He is a high-energy player, unselfish, sets quality screens and crashes the offensive glass hard. "He’s an impressive young man," Givony said of Syracuse's new center.
It's entirely possible (likely, in fact) that McNamara and his assistants will add another center and/or power forward to their roster for the upcoming 2026-27 stanza. Still, Siby and Siena transfer big man Tasman Goodrick, a junior, will both contend for minutes at the center spot.
Who will start? I have no idea. But I think Siby is a terrific get for GMac & Co.
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