Letter From the Editor
Dear Readers,
Syracuse basketball is just days away. Last season, both the men's and women's squads missed the NCAA Tournament. Now, each side has reloaded its roster with top-tier freshmen and transfers.
On the men's side, SU reeled in top-35 prospects Sadiq White and Kiyan Anthony, the son of NBA Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony, and six transfers to pair with returners J.J. Starling and Donnie Freeman.
For the women's team, head coach Felisha Legette-Jack saw most of her top scoring options depart but retained second-leading scorer Sophie Burrows. Of many newcomers, Texas transfer Laila Phelia and four-star freshman Camdyn Nelson can produce alongside her.
The Daily Orange's 2025 Basketball Guide has all you need to know before the season begins.
Thanks for reading,
Noah Nussbaum | Sports Editor
Basketball Guide 2025
LIVING LEGACY
Kiyan Anthony isn't chasing Carmelo's legacy — he's building his own
justingirshon@gmail.com | @JustinGirshon
In choosing Syracuse, Kiyan Anthony is taking the spotlight head-on by playing for the program that kick-started his father's Hall of Fame career.
AnthonyBasketball Guide 2025
ALL THE BUZZ
Sophie Burrows spent 2 years behind Syracuse's stars. It's her turn now.
jordankimball28@gmail.com | @JordanKimball_
Sophie Burrows spent two years learning behind star guards Dyaisha Fair and Georgia Woolley. With them gone, she's ready to lead Syracuse in 2025.
BurrowsBasketball Guide 2025
THE MAESTRO
Naithan George established himself as the ACC's top passer. He'll now conduct Syracuse's symphony.
amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky
Naithan George is the conductor of the orchestra for Syracuse in head coach Adrian Autry's make-or-break third year.
GeorgeBasketball Guide 2025
FULL FOCUS
An eye injury sidelined Laila Phelia at Texas. Syracuse is her 2nd chance.
harrispemberton@gmail.com | @HarrisPemb6
An eye injury sidelined Laila Phelia at Texas last season. Transferring to Syracuse has Phelia focused on reestablishing herself as one of the best two-way college guards.
PheliaBasketball Guide 2025
'A GIFT FROM GOD'
5-star forward Sadiq White is the recruit Adrian Autry dreamed to acquire
ccandrew@syr.edu | @cooper_andrews
Highly-touted freshman forward Sadiq White brings a brand of ferocity to the court, making him Adrian Autry's dream recruit.
WhiteBasketball Guide 2025
ON DECK
Camdyn Nelson's ready to join Syracuse's storied point guard lineage
mjpalmar@syr.edu | @mpalmarDO
As the reigning Gatorade Connecticut Player of the Year, Camdyn Nelson is ready to reestablish a legacy of elite SU point guards.
NelsonBasketball Guide 2025
Beat writers split on whether Syracuse men's basketball returns to March Madness
sports@dailyorange.com
After its worst season since 1968-69, Syracuse replenished its roster. Our beat writers are split on whether SU will return to March Madness.
BWPBasketball Guide 2025
Beat writers predict how new-look Syracuse women's basketball fares in 2025-26
sports@dailyorange.com
Syracuse women's basketball acquired eight new players for this season. Our beat writers predict how the new-look Orange will fare in the 2025-26 campaign.
BWPMen's Basketball
Syracuse built revamped roster around return of its 2 stars
The Daily Orange
J.J. Starling and Donnie Freeman played seven games together last year. They'll now help Syracuse's try to snap its four-year NCAA Tournament drought.
Starling & FreemanCredits
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