This off-season, Syracuse basketball coaches landed four college transfers, each of whom is ranked as a four-star prospect by at least one recruiting service.
One of those transfers is talented center Eddie Lampkin Jr., a 6-foot-11, 265-pound senior from Colorado who is expected to start at center for the Orange in the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Hung out with Eddie last night at the Turning Stone for our fundraiser. What a nice and respectful young man. #DynastyBuilding🍊 pic.twitter.com/qkGbGiCVa7
— Felisha Legette-Jack (@CuseCoachJack) July 19, 2024
Lampkin is a veteran player who provides the 'Cuse with a solid big man who can score and rebound with proficiency.
Let's take a deeper dive on Syracuse basketball center Eddie Lampkin Jr.
What does Lampkin bring to the Orange?
Eddie Lampkin Jr. brings a much-needed presence that the Orange have been missing for a while. Lampkin, who has been a part of three straight NCAA Tournament teams in Texas Christian (TCU) twice and once for Colorado, had an average of 10 points and seven rebounds per game last season, meaning the Orange will not only have a talented center who can rebound the basketball on both ends and attack the paint, but can also provide a powerful defensive presence as well.
Eddie would fit in perfectly with the Orange 2-3 zone defense and will be able to stop those that attack the paint and on the baseline. His court vision makes him a threat on offense when reading the opponents' defensive schemes as well. Syracuse has been needing a big man like this for some time and Eddie helps fill those gaps.
Will Eddie Lampkin Jr. be the next Orange star?
Eddie is coming to a program that has been needing a big man who can not only rebound the basketball, but also be a factor in the paint on both ends of the court as well. Head coach Adrian Autry can help turn Eddie Lampkin Jr. into one of the key pieces that his Orange needs to make a run for the NCAA Tournament.
If Autry runs an offense that can get Lampkin involved, they will have more opportunities to get to the basket on fast breaks, allowing him to get easy buckets and find his teammates for easy assists as well.
With 11 double-digit rebounding efforts with the Buffaloes last season, if Syracuse wants to have any chance at both an ACC title and an NCAA Tournament run, Lampkin will have to be the man who the Orange can rely on next season.
Will Eddie Lampkin Jr. be the star that Syracuse needs him to be next season? We will have to wait and see what he has to bring to the table as we inch closer and closer to tip-off.