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Entering the 2025-26 season, Syracuse has its best freshmen recruiting class since 2023 when Adrian Autry took over as head coach. SU’s five-player class ranks 17th in the country, per 247Sports, the program’s best mark since its 21st-best class in 2022.

In a pivotal year for the Orange, their freshmen class could be the make or break factor in whether they can snap their four-year March Madness drought.

Here’s what to know about the Orange’s freshmen class:

Sadiq White Jr., forward

247Sports’ No. 26 prospect, IMG Academy (Fla.)

Sadiq White Jr. is the highest-rated player in Syracuse’s freshmen class and is the 26th-ranked player by 247Sports. As their first 2025 commit, White’s verbal commitment on May 29, 2024 has molded their recruiting class.

“Coach (Autry), Coach (Brenden Straughn), they never missed a game,” White said during his commitment live stream. “The genuine love they have for me, they tell me the stuff I don’t want to hear about my game. I feel like I’m going to go up there and get better as a player.”

The 6-foot-9, 195-pound forward has the tools — containing prototypical size and athleticism similar to previous star SU forwards — to be among the best freshmen the Orange have had in recent memory. Whether matching up against other forwards or switching onto guards defensively, White should adjust well to the college level.

And with Syracuse hoping to play a faster offense, expect White to show off his athleticism by getting buckets near the rim and moving downhill, especially in transition. Though he can step out and shoot the 3, most of his offensive damage comes from inside. White’s size and athleticism should permit him to play either forward position, but it might be difficult for SU to space the floor if he’s paired up alongside another lesser shooter.

White spent his first three years of high school at Myers Park High School (N.C.) before transferring to IMG Academy — which is also where Donnie Freeman closed out his high school career. At national powerhouse IMG, White averaged 12.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Following the high school season, White played in the Jordan Brand Classic, Allen Iverson Roundball Classic and was one of 33 players invited to compete for a roster spot on the USA Basketball U19 squad.

Kiyan Anthony, guard

247Sports’ No. 32 prospect, Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.)

Let’s get this out of the way: Kiyan Anthony isn’t his father, Carmelo Anthony. Arguably SU’s most accomplished athlete following his transcendent one-and-done season in which he claimed the program’s lone national championship, Carmelo then embarked on a Hall of Fame professional career.

There’s nothing saying Kiyan can’t accomplish everything his father did, but it’s ludicrous to place those expectations on him. With that said, Kiyan isn’t a nepo baby — he’s one of the higher-ranked recruits the Orange have ever landed.

Standing 6-foot-5, 185 pounds, Kiyan has good size for a guard and — like his father — can score the ball at will. Whether going to the rim, creating a shot in the mid-range or pulling up from 3-point range, Kiyan’s best attribute is his shot-making. He’s also developed a solid handle, which he uses to create looks for himself or others.

A Brooklyn, N.Y., native, Kiyan attended Christ The King High School in Queens as an underclassman before transferring to Long Island Lutheran, a powerhouse program in Brookville, for his upperclassman years. Before committing to Syracuse on Nov. 15, 2024, Kiyan was also heavily considering USC in his recruitment, also receiving offers from programs including Florida State, Michigan and Auburn.

Before joining the Orange, Kiyan played in the Jordan Brand Classic alongside White — where he earned MVP honors — and the Allen Iverson Roundball Classic. With J.J. Starling serving as SU’s starting shooting guard, Kiyan will likely be in a reserve role throughout the year, but he should be a fixture in the rotation. If his scoring prowess translates to the college level, his shooting off the bench could be vital as Syracuse looks to return to March Madness.

Luke Fennell, guard

247Sports’ No. 133 prospect, NBL Australia

Coming to Syracuse from Australia, Luke Fennell arguably has the most impressive resume among the Orange’s freshman class. Over the summer, Fennell played for Australia in the 2025 FIBA U19 Men’s Basketball World Cup and averaged 10.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists across seven games.

Meanwhile, he played professionally last year for the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the National Basketball League, which spans across Australia and New Zealand. Notably, LaMelo Ball played in the NBL when bypassing college, eventually being selected with the No. 3 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets.

At 6-foot-6 and 190 pounds, Fennell has great size for a guard. Fennell can score from all three levels, while his vision and ball handling are also key strengths. From the jump, he should be a great option to give Georgia Tech transfer Naithan George a lift at the point guard position. Still, there are certainly ways Autry can be creative and have both guys on the floor together — even alongside Starling, too — because Fennell’s size can help him defend shooting guards and small forwards effectively.

Fennell also fielded offers from Florida, Louisville and St. Bonaventure before committing to SU on Oct. 23, 2024. The guard became one of the first high-profile recruits the Orange identified using the statistical algorithm general manager Alex Kline and data analyst Eugene Tulyagijja helped create.

“Going into this portal season would be the first time actually implementing it,” Tulyagijja told The Daily Orange about the algorithm in January, before SU acquired six transfers over the offseason. “I think this high school recruiting cycle, we implemented a little bit of it. That’s how we got guys like Luke Fennell and Aaron Womack from Wisconsin.”

Aaron Womack, guard/forward

247Sports three-star recruit, Dominican High School (Wis.)

Another find via the Kline and Tulyagijja algorithm, Womack committed to Syracuse on Sept. 30, 2024. Womack is relatively overlooked nationally by recruiting outlets, placing as a consensus three-star.

Outside of SU, Womack also held offers from Buffalo, Green Bay, Illinois State and Illinois-Chicago. Standing 6-foot-6 and 170 pounds, Womack has the stature to play guard and forward, but he’ll likely be the odd man out for the Orange due to their depth at both positions.

However, Womack’s silky smooth shooting could help him vie for playing time. As a senior at Dominican High School, where Womack played all four years of high school, he averaged 28.8 points per game on a highly efficient 60% clip from the field.

Tiefing Diawara, center

247Sports three-star recruit, DME Academy at St. John’s Northwestern Academies (Wis.)

Rounding out Syracuse’s five-player freshmen class, Tiefing Diawara committed to the program on May 26. A Mali native, Diawara stands 7-foot tall and 240 pounds, making him the tallest player on the Orange’s roster.

Though he’s the tallest player on the team, 2025-26 will likely be a developmental year for Diawara while transfers William Kyle III and Ibrahim Souare handle most of the center minutes.

Diawara spent several years with Italian club Orange1 Basket Bassano before moving to the United States and playing at prep school DME Academy at St. John’s Northwestern. While playing on the EYBL circuit for Team Herro in 2024, the center averaged 4.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game across 11 contests.

Per 247Sports, Diawara also held offers from Baylor and Kansas State.

Published on September 22, 2025 at 8:34 pm
Contact Justin: justingirshon@gmail.com | @JustinGirshon