Syracuse basketball 4-star commit Eddie Lampkin Jr. says bring on rest of ACC big men

New Syracuse basketball commit Eddie Lampkin Jr., a four-star transfer center, isn't backing down from anyone, and I'm all for it.

The 6-foot-11, 265-pound senior, who is from Houston, recently said that he would transfer to the Orange from Colorado for his final season of collegiate hoops, giving the 'Cuse a talented and physical center for the 2024-25 season.

While the 'Cuse does have two other centers on its roster in junior Naheem McLeod and freshman William Patterson, McLeod only appeared in 14 games this past term before suffering a season-ending injury, while Patterson didn't play at all and is expected to take a redshirt for 2023-24.

It remains to be seen what head coach Adrian Autry's starting rotation will entail for the next stanza, but I assume that Lampkin will be the Orange's starter at center when 2024-25 commences. And he says bring on the rest of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Syracuse basketball center Eddie Lampkin Jr. is ready to take on other ACC big men.

On Tuesday night, Lampkin published a fun post on his X page, saying in part that as it pertains to the ACC and other centers in the league in 2024-25, "I like me over everyone next year. ... y'all don’t run."

Heck. Yeah.

Now, Lampkin throughout the course of next season in the ACC will face some top-flight big men, whether against perennial powerhouses Duke and North Carolina, or other league members.

I just dig this mentality from Lampkin. He's got confidence. He's got swagger. He's ready to roll.

In early April, Lampkin took a visit to Syracuse basketball and then announced his commitment to the 'Cuse shortly thereafter. He had entered the transfer portal on March 27, according to 247Sports.

Lampkin began his college career at TCU before heading to Colorado. As a senior in 2023-24 for the Buffaloes, he averaged 27.8 minutes, 10.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per encounter, while connecting on 57.9 percent from the field and 66.1 percent from the free-throw line, per ESPN data.

He was a key contributor as Colorado finished No. 3 in the Pac-12 Conference regular-season standings and made it to the title game of that league's post-season tournament. Then, the Buffaloes (26-11 overall) won two games in this spring's NCAA Tournament, and Lampkin was a big reason why.

When I wrote this story, in national transfer rankings, 247Sports had him as four stars, No. 155 overall and No. 25 at center. Rivals.com slotted Lampkin as four stars and No. 111 nationwide.

This off-season, the Orange has lost at least six 2023-24 players to the portal, and sophomore point guard Judah Mintz to the 2024 NBA Draft. The 'Cuse brings in two excellent high school seniors ahead of 2024-25.

Via the portal, besides Lampkin, Syracuse basketball scored a commitment on Monday evening from Delaware senior forward Jyáre Davis, himself a four-star transfer.

The Orange coaching staff is still working to complete its 2024-25 roster. Landing Lampkin was huge. If the 'Cuse wants to reach the next Big Dance following a three-year absence from March Madness, Lampkin must be a strong presence in the paint on both ends of the floor.

He's confident in his abilities, and I'm excited to see Eddie don a Syracuse basketball uniform later this year.