Syracuse Basketball: Former 'Cuse players find new homes, Maliq Brown to visit Duke

Syracuse basketball, this off-season, has seen at least six players from its 2023-24 roster hit the transfer portal, and lately, some of those guys have found new collegiate homes.

In recent days, per social media posts, at least three former 'Cuse players have revealed their transfer plans. What's more, one of the Orange's key front-court players a stanza ago is reportedly going to take a visit to an Atlantic Coast Conference powerhouse later this week.

I fully acknowledge that some, if not many, 'Cuse fans don't care all that much what former players do with their future plans. I get it. The vast majority of Orange fans, I imagine, are focused on the players who are part of the program, not those who have left it.

To me, I always wish former players who have transferred or left the Hill for professional aspirations well. I want them to succeed. At the same time, while I'll cheer on former Syracuse basketball players, if they end up playing the Orange down the line, I'll be rooting for the 'Cuse in those situations.

Let's briefly check in on some news regarding former Syracuse basketball players.

Word broke on April 14 that sophomore center Peter Carey would transfer to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference ("MAAC") member Siena. Former Syracuse basketball star and 'Cuse associate head coach Gerry McNamara is the new head coach of Siena.

Also on April 14, junior forward Benny Williams, who was dismissed from the Orange program in early February, said on his X page that he was transferring to Big 12 Conference school UCF.

On April 15, sophomore guard/wing Justin Taylor said on social media that he was transferring from the 'Cuse to James Madison out of the Sun Belt Conference. This move gives Taylor, a native of Charlottesville, Va., an opportunity to play collegiate hoops closer to home.

Besides Carey, Williams and Taylor, those Syracuse basketball 2023-24 players who have entered the portal include sophomore guard/wing Quadir Copeland, sophomore power forward/center Maliq Brown and junior center Mounir Hima. Additionally, sophomore point guard Judah Mintz is headed for the 2024 NBA Draft.

As I noted in another recent column, Copeland since entering the portal has heard from college squads such as Kansas State, McNeese State, Memphis, Mississippi State, N.C. State and Kansas, among others, according to 247Sports national analyst Dushawn London.

Regarding Brown, according to a report from On3's Barkley Truax, he is planning to take a visit to Duke from Wednesday until Friday of this week. Understandably, 'Cuse fans probably aren't too happy to see this news, given that the Blue Devils are a fellow ACC foe.

In 2023-24, Mintz made the All-ACC second team. Brown was named to the All-ACC defensive squad. And Copeland finished at No. 2 in the voting for the ACC sixth man of the year.