The transfer portal opened on Monday, and already hundreds of college players have hit the portal, including several guys on the Syracuse basketball roster from the recently completed 2023-24 season for the Orange.
Sophomore guard/small forward Justin Taylor has entered the portal, as has fellow sophomore guard/wing Quadir Copeland. Additionally, junior forward Benny Williams, who was dismissed from the 'Cuse program in early February, is also entering the portal.
I've seen one report that the 'Cuse has reached out to a prolific-scoring guard transfer, but candidly, it's been a relatively quiet week as it pertains to Syracuse basketball (at least in terms of what has been publicly disclosed one way or another).
Then again, Orange coaches absolutely can be doing things behind the scenes, and activity could also further pick up in the coming weeks as the 2024 NCAA Tournament is winding down and even more players decide to enter the portal.
Here are some top players in the transfer portal who I would like to see Syracuse basketball pursue.
Maxime Raynaud
Junior big man from Stanford
Four stars, No. 1 overall, No. 1 at center (*all rankings via the 247Sports Web site)
Averaged 15.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in the 2023-24 season
Clifford Omoruyi
Senior center from Rutgers
Four stars, No. 2 overall, No. 2 at center
Averaged 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game
Brandon Garrison
Freshman center from Oklahoma State
Four stars, No. 3 overall, No. 3 at center
Averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game
Andrej Stojakovic
Freshman guard/wing from Stanford
Four stars, No. 4 overall, No. 1 at small forward
Averaged 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game
Dug McDaniel
Sophomore point guard from Michigan
Four stars, No. 6 overall, No. 1 at point guard
Averaged 16.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game
Amari Williams
Senior big man from Drexel
Four stars, No. 8 overall, No. 4 at center
Averaged 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 blocks per game
Dakota Leffew
Senior guard from Mount St. Mary's
Four stars, No. 14 overall, No. 2 at shooting guard
Averaged 17.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game
Tarris Reed Jr.
Sophomore big man from Michigan
Four stars, No. 15 overall, No. 4 at power forward
Averaged 9.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game
Bensley Joseph
Junior point guard from Miami
Four stars, No. 17 overall, No. 2 at point guard
Averaged 9.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game
Koren Johnson
Sophomore combo guard from Washington
Four stars, No. 22 overall, No. 3 at combo guard
Averaged 11.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game