The days of a player committing to a program and staying four years at that school and getting a degree are — for the most part — gone. Every school now has a diaspora of former, and possibly future, players across the country, spread in different places.
Here’s a look at how former Syracuse Orange men’s basketball players are faring at their current schools, and a bonus inclusion of a former player now on a coaching staff.
Maliq Brown, Duke: 6.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.2 apg, 75.0 fg%, 12.5 3p%
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Brown continues to be arguably the nation’s premier “beyond-the-box-score” player. In just 16.7 minutes per game, he impacts winning in just about every way imaginable for a Duke team that is 11-0 heading into Saturday’s Madison Square Garden showdown with Texas Tech. I’ll be at that game, and I’m excited to watch Brown tap out offensive rebounds, poke the ball upwards on defense, and deflect passes. The Blue Devils host Syracuse on February 16.
Quadir Copeland, NC State: 13.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.5 apg, 58.1 fg%, 55.0 3p%
Surprisingly, Copeland has been NC State’s highest-usage offensive player and has by far his most efficient offensive numbers. He’s 21st nationally with a 37.5% assist rate, and is 51st nationally amongst qualifiers with a 67.7% true shooting percentage. He’s the second-leading scorer, and leading assist-man for the 19th ranked offense in the country. The Wolfpack have certainly not taken advantage of all of their opportunities in the non-conference, but are still 28th in KenPom and one of the ACC’s projected NCAA Tournament teams, should they take care of business in league play. NC State hosts Syracuse on January 27th.
Chris Bell, Cal: 13.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 0.7 apg, 45.0 fg%, 38.5 3p%
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Bell made a national statement with his 22-point performance over Thanksgiving break in a win over UCLA. Cal has four players averaging 13 or more points per game, and Bell is one of them. He’s actually only third on the team with 20 made threes, but has scored a bunch at the foul line and inside the arc. Bell also has two games with multiple offensive rebounds this season, something he only did once in three years with Syracuse. The Orange host Bell’s Bears on February 11th. Cal is currently 10-1.
Justin Taylor, James Madison: 0.2 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.2 apg
Just by looking at those stats, you’d imagine Taylor hasn’t played much at all, but he’s been part of the back end of JMU’s rotation, in seven minutes per game. Taylor has attempted just two field goals in 65 minutes this season. The Dukes are 7-5, but lost their Sun Belt opener to Old Dominion on Wednesday on the road.
Kyle Cuffe, Mercer: 7.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.4 apg, 40.3 fg%, 38.1 3p%
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Cuffe is part of a dynamic backcourt for head coach Ryan Ridder at Mercer. He comes off the bench for 15 minutes per game, playing behind Baraka Okojie, Zaire Williams, and Quinton Perkins. In those 15 minutes, he’s shooting nearly four threes per game, and connecting at a high clip. He’s settled into his role nicely, and the Bears, currently 7-4, will be a threat in the SoCon.
William Patterson, New Orleans: 2 games played, 20 total minutes, 0 points
Patterson redshirted his freshman year with Syracuse, then committed to High Point out of the transfer portal in 2024, but never made it to campus. He played last season for Three Rivers Community College in Missouri, where he averaged 6.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 25 games. That landed him back in Division I with New Orleans, but he hasn’t played since early November.
Chance Westry, UAB: 16.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.0 apg, 51.9 fg%, 29.4 3p%
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I wrote a story for Basket Under Review last month on Westry. He started off with three 20-point games in his first four games, but didn’t score 20 again until Wednesday, when he dropped 31 on 12-15 shooting in a 101-77 win over Cleveland State. It’s great to see Westry on the court and thriving with all of the freedom that Andy Kennedy has given him. UAB is 8-4 and will definitely make noise in the American.
Petar Majstorovic, Long Beach State: 14.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 49.6 fg%, 32.0 3p%
After earning 13 minutes per game as Syracuse’s “hustle big” last year, Majstorovic transferred to Long Beach State, a level where he has been able to flash a much broader skillset. While the Beach is only 3-9, and started 0-2 in conference play, Majstorovic is the team’s second leading scorer and the leading rebounder. He leads the team in minutes played as well, nearing 400 on the season. He’s shooting an impressive 65% inside the arc.
Elijah Moore, Utah*
Elijah Moore stepped away from the Utah men’s basketball program to “attend to personal matters,” last week. Moore appeared in just one game for the Utes.
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BONUS:
Frank Anselem-Ibe is now a graduate manager for Pat Kelsey at Louisville. He was a backup big man for the Cardinals last season.
