Syracuse Basketball: Career highlights of PG Judah Mintz, who heads to 2024 NBA Draft

Syracuse basketball sophomore point guard Judah Mintz is moving on to the 2024 NBA Draft, and he put forth two strong seasons on the Hill after committing to the Orange as a four-star prospect in the 2022 class.

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Mintz, who hails from Fort Washington, Md., posted a touching tribute to his X account on Thursday evening, and the 'Cuse X account re-shared that post with the title, "Next step in the journey: NBA Draft."

While Mintz, in his two years in Central New York, didn't get to play in the NCAA Tournament, he was a terrific player for the Orange in his SU tenure. During the 2023-24 stanza, Mintz became one of only several Syracuse basketball players to reach at least 1,000 career points through a sophomore campaign.

As a college rookie in 2022-23, when the 'Cuse went 17-15 overall, Mintz was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference's All-Freshman team. In 2023-24, as Syracuse basketball sported a 20-12 mark, Mintz led the Orange in points and assists per game, earning a spot on the All-ACC second squad.

Syracuse basketball sophomore point guard Judah Mintz is headed to the 2024 NBA Draft.

After his freshman year, Mintz tested the 2023 NBA Draft process, although he ultimately decided to return to the 'Cuse for a sophomore stint. While it remains to be seen whether he will be selected in the 2024 NBA Draft, to be held in late June, Mintz will be a professional basketball player, whether in the NBA or overseas.

He must improve his 3-point shooting and cut down on his turnovers, but Mintz has a keen ability to hit shots from the mid-range as well as carve out space in the paint, finish around the rim and get to the free-throw line.

During his high school recruiting process, Mintz initially gave a verbal commitment to fellow Atlantic Coast Conference school Pittsburgh. After reopening his recruitment, Mintz pledged to the Orange in the spring of 2022 over other finalists such as DePaul, Wake Forest and N.C. State, according to media reports at that time.

Before joining the 'Cuse, he had a stellar senior year at the powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va. Mintz, in the 2022 cycle, was rated as high as No. 36 nationally by ESPN.

As a freshman for Syracuse basketball, Mintz averaged 16.3 points, 4.6 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals per contest, while connecting on 44.3 percent from the field, 30.3 percent from deep and 75.1 percent from the charity stripe.

In his sophomore term, he averaged 18.8 points, 4.4 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 steals per affair, while hitting on 43.8 percent from the field, 28.2 percent from beyond the arc and 76.5 percent from the free-throw line.

This past season, Mintz was No. 2 within the ACC in points per encounter. On a national scale, he was in the top 15 around the country in both total free throws attempted and shots made from the charity stripe.

Mintz's decision to go to the pros was expected. Last week, Mike Waters of Syracuse.com first reported that Mintz would not come back to the team for his junior year.

Mintz's departure means that only one player from the Orange's six-member 2022 class remains with the program, and that is sophomore small forward Chris Bell.

This off-season, beyond Mintz deciding to head to the 2024 NBA Draft, at least six players from the 'Cuse 2023-24 roster have either entered the transfer portal or plan to, per national analysts and media reports.

What this means is that more than half of the Orange's 2023-24 roster is not expected to return next season. Talk about a significant makeover on the Hill.

In any event, these are the times that we live in as it pertains to the sport of college basketball, given the transfer portal's explosion, NIL and other factors.

Regardless, I want to thank Judah for two fantastic seasons with the Syracuse basketball program. You will be missed. Now go crush things in the pros.