In the upcoming 2025-26 season, Syracuse basketball will try to get back to the NCAA Tournament after four straight absences from the annual event. For the Orange to hear its name called on Selection Sunday, guard J.J. Starling will have to play at a high level as a senior.
But is the 6-foot-4, 206-pound native of Baldwinsville, N.Y., nursing some sort of injury to his right hand? A few days ago, Starling posted a photo of himself via his Instagram story. I believe he was at the New York State Fair, but I don't know that for sure.
In the photo, Starling appears to have on (or had on) some sort of protective covering or soft cast on his right hand. I don't want to speculate if he's injured or not. I'm not a doctor. But it's still something that Orange fans will want to monitor.
I e-mailed a Syracuse basketball spokesperson about J.J. I didn't hear back. I asked another source about this. I've yet to hear back. This could be nothing regarding Starling, or perhaps it could be something. I hope it's the former.
Syracuse basketball needs a healthy J.J. Starling this coming season.
Starling, as a junior, missed seven games due to a broken left hand. The Orange would go 14-19 overall in 2024-25, its worst record in decades. Third-year head coach Adrian Autry and his program hope to rebound in the upcoming term.
In 2024-25, Starling averaged 34.5 minutes, 17.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest while connecting on 40.7 percent from the field, 26.8 percent from beyond the arc and 68.5 percent from the free-throw line.
His shooting percentages in all three categories dipped in his junior season as compared to his sophomore stanza, which was Starling's first season on the Hill after playing at Notre Dame as a freshman and then transferring to the 'Cuse.
Now, to reiterate, I don't know if Starling currently has any issues with his right hand. But the Orange will rely on his veteran leadership in 2025-26. From the team's 2024-25 roster, Starling and sophomore power forward Donnie Freeman are the only returnees.
In the 'Cuse backcourt, the expected starters to begin the 2025-26 season should be Starling and junior point guard Naithan George, a four-star transfer from Georgia Tech.