Several times on Wednesday night, former Syracuse basketball star Eric Devendorf, who was serving as a game analyst for the ACC Network Extra broadcast of the Orange against Mercyhurst, said that he thought the best player for the 'Cuse so far this season has been senior center William Kyle III, who transferred in from UCLA.
Devendorf is spot on with that assessment. While the Orange's 2025-26 campaign has a long way to go, the 6-foot-9, 230-pound Kyle, who hails from Bellevue, Neb., has proven a consistent presence for the 'Cuse on both ends of the floor thus far.
Ahead of 2025-26 commencing, some Syracuse basketball fans lamented that Kyle, the Orange's presumed starter at center, didn't have the height of a traditional center, being "only" 6-foot-9. I countered that it's not about Kyle's height; it's about his overall athleticism, length and wingspan.
Former Syracuse basketball standout Eric Devendorf, who is on the call with Matt Park, has said a couple of times that senior center William Kyle III has been the Orange's best player this season. Totally agree with Eric.
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) December 18, 2025
While Kyle didn't play much as a junior at UCLA, before that, he was the defensive player of the year in the Summit League while competing for South Dakota State. His defensive instincts and prowess are well-documented, and Kyle has demonstrated that he is a reliable rebounder and rim protector, while also giving the 'Cuse a boost in the scoring department.
Perhaps most importantly, from my perspective, Kyle's high-energy level and effort - no matter the opponent or score of a particular game - is something that I appreciate and respect.
Syracuse basketball senior center William Kyle III is playing quite well.
The Orange defeated Mercyhurst on Wednesday evening at the JMA Wireless Dome by a final score of 76-62, in the first-ever meeting between the programs. It wasn't an overly impressive result, but Syracuse basketball improved to 7-4 overall. On Saturday afternoon, the 'Cuse will next host Northeastern.
Against Mercyhurst, Kyle was once more fantastic. In 28 minutes, he was 7-of-8 from the field, finishing with 15 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and one steal. To date in 2025-26, Kyle is averaging 10.8 points, 8.2 boards, 3.2 blocks, 1.3 steals and 1.1 assists per contest.
He's making 73.4 percent from the field. Entering Wednesday's encounter, Kyle was in the top 10 of the Atlantic Coast Conference in rebounds per game, while he led the league in blocks per affair.
We'll have to see how Kyle fares against some heavyweight big men once ACC play gets underway, but what he has shown so far at the center spot for Syracuse basketball - on defense, in transition and scoring in the interior - has been stellar.