Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim said he thinks this offseason could be one of huge transitions both for the Orange program and outside of it.
During his weekly coaches’ show with Matt Park on TK-99 on Thursday, Boeheim referenced the possibility that both Quincy Guerrier and Alan Griffin could explore their professional basketball options, while the NCAA’s potential loosening of transfer waivers could cause programs across the country to have to deal with unexpected departures.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Boeheim said. “This offseason, I think, will be one of the most dramatic changing of the guard and changing of personnel in our history and in college basketball history. I think there could be multiple guys leaving from virtually any program and you’re going to have no idea. In the past, if you were a little unhappy, which a lot of guys are, not enough shots or whatever, you never thought about transferring because you didn’t want to sit out. Now I can transfer over here and get a lot more shots.”
Boeheim said that he believes center Bourama Sidibe would like to return to Syracuse next year, provided he’s healthy and has confidence that he can play a full season. Sidibe recently told Syracuse.com he felt that would be a good plan.
“I think Bourama has already made his decision,” Boeheim said. “I think he’d like to come back. He doesn’t want to come back and sit through a year like this. We’re doing some more research on his knee, some more testing. He has indicated he would if he’s healthy.”
Boeheim said Marek Dolezaj wasn’t planning on returning when the season began, although they haven’t discussed his decision lately and he could always change his mind. Dolezaj told Syracuse.com recently that he’s not thinking about that choice right now.
Boeheim also referenced the professional aspirations of Quincy Guerrier and Alan Griffin, two players who have been open about their future hopes but don’t seem to have put together seasons that would make them strong NBA Draft candidates immediately.
Still, that hasn’t stopped college players from pursuing professional dreams in other ways in recent years.
“(We’re going to) see the status of what Quincy wants to do in terms of going to the league, trying out, taking that path,” Boeheim said. “Alan Griffin, if he wanted to work out in the NBA, go to the NBA, those things are all options.”
Boeheim also said he’s unsure what to expect regarding transfers. Syracuse generally does lose a player or two each offseason due to attrition. He said he expects the Orange will look at bringing in transfers as well this offseason.
The offseason is expected to bring far more transfers than usual if the NCAA passes legislation that allows athletes to transfer once without sitting out a season. The organization currently is facing significant pressure about how much control schools can exert over players while maintaining their rules of amateurism.
“Guys that aren’t playing a lot could easily decide to look someplace else,” Boeheim said. “There could be a lot of movement. We do have some good young players that I think will be back. We’ve got a good recruit coming in. We will look at the transfer area, for sure. Everything is in flux until we get another month along or two and we see what decisions guys want to make. I think there will be a lot of stuff going on this summer. I think there will be movement. Quite a bit of movement.”
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