As Syracuse basketball fully turns its attention to Atlantic Coast Conference play for the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season, Orange fans are wondering when junior guard J.J. Starling might get back onto the court.
In early December, immediately before the 'Cuse was set to play then-No. 3 Tennessee on the road in the annual SEC/ACC Challenge, Syracuse basketball announced on social media that the 6-foot-4, 206-pound native of Baldwinsville, N.Y., had unfortunately suffered a left-hand injury at a recent practice.
Starling, who up until that point was the Orange's leading scorer at nearly 20 points per game, hasn't suited up in a contest since, with the 'Cuse going 2-4 amid his absence.
Syracuse basketball (6-6 overall, 0-1 in the ACC) will host Wake Forest (9-4, 1-1 in the ACC) at the JMA Wireless Dome in an ACC clash on Tuesday afternoon. Last Saturday, on the Hill, after the Orange knocked off Patriot League member Bucknell by 12 points, 'Cuse head coach Adrian Autry discussed Starling's potential return, per an article from Mike Waters of Syracuse.com.
In summation: Autry is "hopeful" that Starling could be "close" to being ready to play again for the Orange, but the head coach also doesn't have a specific timetable for the talented guard's return.
Syracuse basketball has turned to other guards in J.J. Starling's absence.
With Starling out, other members of the Orange backcourt have seen their court time increase. Senior point guard Jaquan Carlos remains a starter and has put forth a few solid performances of late.
Meanwhile, other guards who have gotten into the starting line-up or played more minutes while Starling is unavailable include freshman Elijah Moore, senior Lucas Taylor and redshirt junior Kyle Cuffe Jr.
According to Waters' story, following the squad's triumph over Bucknell, Autry said in part about Starling, "He’s coming along well. I wish I had a timetable, but I don’t. I think he’s close, but I don’t know. That’s just me. I’m not a doctor. ... Every time I think he’s close, the doctor (says), 'Well, he’s not that close.' But I think he’s close."
Since the injury is to his non-shooting hand, Starling has started doing activities such as shooting and running, Waters reports. But the junior guard hasn't yet been cleared to participate in parts of practice where there would be any potential contact.
Undeniably, the 'Cuse has struggled so far in the 2024-25 campaign. The team went just 6-5 in its non-conference docket, and now Syracuse basketball is bracing for the heart of its ACC calendar.
Getting Starling back, sooner rather than later, would prove huge for the Orange.