Syracuse center Naheem McLeod is back from injury and eyeing contributions as a defensive anchor.
Naheem McLeod estimates that he’s now “100 percent” healthy. After transferring from Florida State, he started the first 14 games at Syracuse last season only to miss the rest of the year with a right foot injury. He underwent a procedure on his foot and spent the remainder of the 2023-24 season in a walking boot.
The 7-foot-4 McLeod was cleared for basketball activities in mid-July. He returned to action in Syracuse’s exhibition game Saturday against Clarion, although not until the second half. He scored 6 points and grabbed 1 rebound.
“Naheem, he started practicing back a little bit in July and was limited with the foot issues. The last month he’s been full go. He’s really rounded himself back into shape. That’s a big plus for us. He’s a guy that’s obviously big but he can move,” Adrian Autry said.
As the tallest player in Syracuse Orange men’s basketball history, McLeod returns to fortify the center position as a defensive anchor. That’s the goal for him in the season ahead.
“I have my eyes set on defensive player of the year,” McLeod shared.
An intimidating presence in the paint, McLeod averaged 1.9 blocks and 4.3 rebounds in just 14.4 minutes per game last season. He will be behind Colorado transfer Eddie Lampkin at center, complementing Lampkin’s offensive focus with his defense.
The two titans loomed large over media members at Syracuse’s media day, where McLeod fielded questions and attempted to ward off laugher as one teammate in particular harassed him with humorous remarks from a distance. It was an interesting look into the relationship between the two, which said something about Lampkin but also told you something about McLeod; he’s much better at blocking shots than blocking out Lampkin. One playing offense, the other playing defense. Same as on-court.
McLeod’s attempts to hold off laughter eventually fail, and he buries his head in his hand, unable to do anything other than give way to Lampkin’s antics.
“My fault!” Lampkin shouts in jest.
McLeod just shakes his head.
A conversational segue into the center competition begins and McLeod finds his footing. He speaks of everything in terms of blessings now, highlighting his resilience and his positive outlook after suffering an injury a season ago. He knows the sparring matches with Lampkin will help them both in the season ahead.
“It’s been a blessing,” McLeod said of competing with Lampkin. “He’s going to bring it every day being a leader of the team, making the tournament every year. (He’s) pushing me as hard as he can.”
In more ways than one. But Lampkin mirrors the sentiment.
“I really appreciate him and Petar [Majstorovic] guarding me, talking to me, helping me get better and seeing what they see,” Lampkin said. “I’m just trying to take advantage of playing somebody seven-four every day.”
Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images
McLeod comes to Syracuse with a new hairstyle this year, much shorter on top than a season ago. Still, he says there’s no meaning behind it. He also appears with a gold chain that says “Duke,” a nickname given to him by friends back home. He shares his gratitude just for the ability to be back on the court and competing with his teammates. He knows his value to this team will be as a defensive presence.
“I’m always going to be the guy that’s hungry on defense,” McLeod said. “Me being there for my guys is going to help us out a lot.”
While he intends to stand out as a defensive stopper, McLeod also wants to get Syracuse back to familiar post-season territory. In lockstep with teammates, he has the same goal in mind.
“Get back to the tournament,” McLeod said, “where Syracuse belongs.
“Be on the lookout. We coming.”