As I noted in a column three weeks ago, Syracuse basketball senior guard J.J. Starling is dealing with some sort of injury to his right hand, which was confirmed again this week via photos from the program's X account.
However, per an article from Syracuse.com's Mike Waters, who cited team spokesman Pete Moore, the 6-foot-4, 206-pound Starling isn't expected to miss any games as the 2025-26 season gets underway in early November.
When I wrote about Starling on September 2, the Orange declined to comment on the apparent injury to his right hand, because the 'Cuse wasn't in official practice time then.
Orange runs deep 🍊♾️@BouieRoosevelt, @etanthomas36 & @tyusbattle1 stopped by and shared wisdom on Day 1 of preseason. #CuseFamily pic.twitter.com/kU0kgm1r2D
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) September 23, 2025
On Tuesday evening, with the team officially practicing, I asked Moore about Starling's right-hand injury. Moore wrote: "We do not have a comment other than the first practice was yesterday."
When I asked Moore about the Waters' report, this was his response: "Thanks for your interest. We don’t have a comment at this time."
On Monday, Syracuse basketball held its first official preseason practice ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. Visitors to the Orange's first practice included former 'Cuse greats Roosevelt Bouie Jr., Etan Thomas and Tyus Battle. Fun things.
Syracuse basketball will need a healthy J.J. Starling in the upcoming term.
In one photo on the Orange's X account from Monday's practice, you can see a splint on Starling’s right hand. During the 2024-25 season, as a junior, he missed seven games due to a broken left hand. It's highly encouraging that Starling, despite this current injury, "was not expected to miss any games this season," Waters wrote.
Starling, a native of nearby Baldwinsville, N.Y., and sophomore power forward Donnie Freeman are the only two returnees from 2024-25. Syracuse basketball's 2025-26 roster also includes an intriguing six-member transfer cycle as well as a five-member prep class that ranks in the top 20 nationally.
Starling, who averaged 34.5 minutes, 17.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest as a junior, will start at shooting guard for third-year head coach Adrian Autry, with four-star Georgia Tech transfer Naithan George, a junior, likely to start at point guard.
Should the 'Cuse return to March Madness following a four-year absence from the NCAA Tournament, Starling will prove a big reason why.
The Orange has two exhibitions. On Saturday, Oct. 25, against Buffalo on the road, and at the JMA Wireless Dome versus Pace on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The official 2025-26 season opener for Syracuse basketball is at home against fellow Empire State foe Binghamton on Monday, Nov. 3.