Syracuse forward Sadiq White Jr. announces return to Orange
Syracuse forward Sadiq White, SU’s top commit in its 2025 class, averaged 6.1 points across 31 games as a freshman. Zoe Xixis | Asst. Photo Editor
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Syracuse forward Sadiq White Jr. has decided to return to the Orange, he announced on his Instagram Wednesday. White was the Orange’s top-ranked freshman entering the 2025-26 season.
The Charlotte, North Carolina, native was rated as the No. 26 player and fifth-best power forward in the 2025 class, per 247Sports, and was one of five freshmen the Orange brought in.
Though his numbers weren’t gaudy, White saw success with SU this year. He averaged 6.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 54.7% from the field. He appeared in 31 of Syracuse’s 32 games, making 11 starts.
White played his best basketball toward the end of the season, scoring 12 points versus Wake Forest on Feb. 28 and eight against Louisville on March 3 despite injuring his shoulder.
After SU’s season-ending loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, White said he’d “see what his future holds” regarding whether he’d stay or not. Now, that decision is clear.
White’s return is massive for the Orange, as seven players — including point guard Naithan George and forward Donnie Freeman — have already entered the portal since it opened Tuesday. White and fellow rising sophomore Kiyan Anthony, the son of SU legend Carmelo Anthony, are the only players who averaged more than two minutes per game this season expected to return.
The Orange also plucked former Siena players Gavin Doty and Tasman Goodrick from the portal to join Gerry McNamara at Syracuse, and added freshman wing Mark Morano Mahmutovič to their 2026 class.
