Syracuse basketball big man Sadiq White Jr., the Charlotte, N.C., native and former top-30 national prospect in the 2025 class, is returning to the Orange for his sophomore season.
He and fellow 'Cuse freshman Kiyan Anthony, a guard/wing, are running it back on the Hill in the 2026-27 campaign, which will be the first for the program with former SU standout Gerry McNamara serving as head coach.
Of all the Orange's players from its 2025-26 roster who have collegiate eligibility remaining, the 6-foot-9, 195-pound White was the one whom I had most hoped would come back and play for GMac.
All in. Let’s work. 🍊@SadiqWhite11 pic.twitter.com/sZ338Kil08
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) April 8, 2026
Why? Because I think White will thrive in McNamara's system - or perhaps more accurately, GMac's culture and identity for how he envisions Syracuse basketball moving forward.
At his opening press conference and in other media interviews, McNamara has made it clear that his highest priority is winning, and players who leave it all on the court are the ones who will get the minutes.
Sadiq White Jr. and Gerry McNamara are a perfect match.
GMac, as a 'Cuse player, claimed a national title in 2003. He was a gritty, tough guard for the Orange. McNamara has said that guys on his roster have to give their maximum effort all the time. They have to hustle and dive after loose balls. They have to defend and rebound well.
White is still somewhat raw on the offensive end, but he's a high-energy player with a terrific motor. In 2025-26, when Syracuse basketball went 15-17 overall, the two players who stood out to me the most in terms of their effort and energy were White and senior center William Kyle III.
While Kyle is done with his college playing days, White has a bright future ahead, and I could see him contending for a starting spot in GMac's rotation, likely at power forward. White is defensive-minded, ultra-athletic, gets after it on the glass, and doesn't take a play off.
That's exactly what McNamara is looking for, and it's exciting that White elected to remain in an Orange uniform for his sophomore stint. As a freshman in 2025-26, White averaged 15.1 minutes, 6.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while making 54.7 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from downtown and 51.3 percent from the charity stripe.
I'm not suggesting that White will lead the 'Cuse in scoring in 2026-27; however, he will play an integral role in GMac's system as Syracuse basketball eyes a return to the annual NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021.