Syracuse Orange: Is guard Sophie Burrows the future of Syracuse women’s basketball?

On Sunday, February 2nd, Syracuse Orange women’s basketball player Sophie Burrows scored 22 points (four shots from three) in a hard-fought, three-point loss to a Virginia team led by a very talented, potential WNBA player.

On Thursday, February 6th, Sophie topped that with a career-high 28 points (8 for 12 from three) to help the team beat Virginia Tech, 93-87.

On Sunday, February 9th, the 6-foot-2 sophomore guard had 15 points and 10 rebounds to help the Orange beat Wake Forest, 62-50, after trailing a good portion of the game early.

Now let me emphasize something. She didn’t do it alone, and I’m in no way implying she did. Kyra Wood was amazing, especially on the boards and racking up double-doubles since returning from injury.

Georgia Woolley (who had 20 points against Wake), Saniaa Wilson, Dominique Camp, and Izabel Varejao have also made key contributions and helped this team in many ways. But the thing about those players is that they are all either seniors or graduate students, who I’m unsure have any more eligibility left. And while I’m so grateful for all their contributions, we are only a few games away from the end of the season, and I’m looking to see what we can build on next year.

Syracuse women's basketball guard Sophie Burrows is playing quite well of late.

Sophie Burrows is a sophomore. Therefore, when looking at someone who is showing on the court that she can help the Orange, I do believe right now she’s one of the best options.

At times, others have definitely contributed, too. Freshman Angelica Velez hit key shots in the final minutes of that Virginia Tech win. Junior Lexi McNabb came in once or twice to help and is a bench extension of head coach Felisha Legette-Jack, who knows when to slow things down a bit and motivate the team as well.

And many others like Journey Thompson (junior) and Shy Hawkins (freshman) have contributed when it was truly needed. And I think freshmen Keira Scott (a 6’1 forward) and Olivia Schmitt (point guard) have bright futures ahead, too.

But based on recent success, whether you’re a stat person or just a fan who watches this team, you have to admire the contributions of late by Sophie Burrows. You also have to be excited that if she can stay healthy and keeps playing for the S on the jersey, the future definitely looks bright.

I think what we are seeing now is just the start of Burrows finding her confidence and leadership that will help propel this team to more wins this season, alongside this team finding its rhythm now after a season of injuries and close losses.

It’s this writer’s opinion that not only is Coach Jack the right answer for this program, but if she can get enough support to keep good players like Burrows and attract more from the transfer portal, this program will see future NCAA Tournament runs. I know some fans will look at the overall record this season and be disappointed, but this is a team that is playing very well together and fighting as one to be the best they can be.

And if Burrows can keep playing as she has of late, she might just be the piece of the puzzle that this team can build around for the next couple of years. I believe that with Coach on the sideline and the right pieces around her, this is a team fans will love watching more.

If you don't believe me, tune in yourself as the team heads to the west coast for games Thursday and Sunday that will be televised on the ACC Network (Thursday at Stanford at 10 pm and Sunday at California at 6 pm) before returning home to the JMA Wireless Dome on February 20th against North Carolina.