There are eleven former Syracuse Orange basketball players that are currently playing Division I men’s basketball at other schools. The eleven played varying roles at Syracuse, ranging from benchwarmer to star, and are playing a plethora of different roles at their new schools.
Lets take a look at all eleven, and check in on the old friends (stats and records through 2/11).
Peter Carey, Siena
Stats: 17 games, 15.2 mpg, 5.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.4 blk
It has been nearly a month since Carey stepped on the floor, as he’s been injured, but he’s been a key piece of Gerry McNamara’s first team at Siena. He started all 17 games before the injury, and was just coming into his own. In a double overtime win over Manhattan on January 3, Carey scored a career-high 21 points with 8 rebounds. He is among the leaders in blocks per game in the MAAC as well.
The Saints are 11-13, and 6-7 in the MAAC.
Quadir Copeland, McNeese
Stats: 25 games, 21.3 mpg, 9.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.3 stl
Copeland’s minutes were inconsistent at the beginning of the season, but as the Cowboys have been running through the Southland Conference, the former spark plug has found his way into the starting group, and contributing at a high level. He’s the Southland’s leader in assists per game during conference play, with 5.8, and he’s had three double-doubles with assists this year.
McNeese is 19-6 and 13-1 in the Southland.
Maliq Brown, Duke
Stats: 18 games, 18.2 mpg, 2.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.7 stl, 0.5 blk
It’s well documented that Maliq Brown’s impact – both at Syracuse and now at Duke – goes well beyond anything that the statsheet could indicate. He’s likely to be in the running for ACC Defensive Player of the Year thanks to his incredible instincts and hands forcing deflections and steals that allow the Blue Devils to run in transition. Brown had just 6 points and 8 rebounds against Syracuse last week, but it felt like he was the best player on the floor for portions of that game. If you haven’t yet read the Daily Orange’s story on his departure from SU, I’d highly recommend it.
Duke is 20-3 and 12-1 in the ACC.
Justin Taylor, James Madison
Stats: 21 games, 10.4 mpg, 1.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg
It’s really a shame what has happened to Taylor over the last two seasons. He had a very promising freshman year, shooting nearly 40% from beyond the arc and then opened up the 2023-24 season with two strong performances against New Hampshire and Canisius, but it has been basically all downhill from there. Despite the transfer closer to home and down a level, Taylor hasn’t found a consistent role in James Madison’s rotation, with his confidence still bothering him and the slump that he got into last year still hanging over his head.
JMU is 15-10 and 8-4 in the Sun Belt.
Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Benny Williams, UCF
Stats: 24 games, 13.9 mpg, 4.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg
Williams has been a reserve contributor for a roller-coaster UCF team that is currently on a four game losing streak, and has lost seven of its last eight games in Big 12 play. His numbers are fairly similar to last season, marking a player that has failed to live up to his recruiting shine. He’s always had the raw ability to be a contributor, but I was surprised that he decided to play his senior season in the BIg 12, considering I believed there was a high usage role somewhere at a lower level for him.
UCF is 13-11 and 4-9 in the Big 12, and running out of opportunities to add quality wins to its tournament resume.
Mounir Hima, Howard
Stats: 12 games, 5.8 mpg, 0.5 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.4 blk
Hima has not been part of the Bison’s rotation for most of the year. Kenny Blakeney has another good team that could challenge for a MEAC Tournament championship led by freshman sensation Blake Harper.
Howard is 10-14 and 5-2 in the MEAC.
Frank Anselem-Ibe, Louisville
Stats: 18 games, 3.9 mpg, 0.4 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 0.3 blk
Similarly to Hima, Anselem-Ibe has not been part of his team’s rotation this season. He was a late portal pickup by a team that was scrambling for center depth in case of emergency. Even though Louisville has dealt with injuries, the Cardinals haven’t needed much from Anselem-Ibe because James Scott is ahead of schedule in terms of his development.
Louisville is 18-6 and 11-2 in the ACC.
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Kadary Richmond, St. John’s
Stats: 24 games, 32.5 mpg, 12.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 5.0 apg, 2.0 stl
St. John’s is perhaps the biggest story in the northeast right now, and Richmond is a big reason why. After making All-Big East First Team at Seton Hall last year, he transferred to the Johnnies, and struggled at the beginning of the year. But he’s found his stride lately, scoring 24 points and knocking down a game-winner against Providence, before an 18-point, 11-rebound, 8-assist performance against Marquette.
St. John’s is 21-3 and 12-1 in the Big East.
Woody Newton, George Mason
Stats: 25 games, 21.4 mpg, 7.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.9 apg
Woody Newton played the best game of his five year college career on Tuesday night, He’s been a starter for George Mason all year, but mostly for his defense, as the Patriots are one of the top defenses in the country. But on the road against a good Saint Louis team, Newton took over the game with his shooting, draining eight triples and scoring 27 points, leading the way for a tenth win in a row.
George Mason is 20-5 and 11-1 in the A10.
Brycen Goodine, Oklahoma
Stats: 20 games, 19.5 mpg, 8.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 45.1% 3p
Goodine lost nearly the entire 2022-23 season due to injury, but came back and won MAAC 6th Man of the Year at Fairfield last year. He parlayed that into a move back to the high-major level, where he has continued to be a three-point sniper for Oklahoma. This season, Goodine has just four total assists, but has made 41 threes.
Oklahoma is 16-7 and 3-7 in the SEC.
Robert Braswell, Charlotte
Stats: 25 games, 24.8 mpg, 11.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg
Robert Braswell committed to Syracuse on May 13, 2018. He was in the same Syracuse recruiting class as Buddy Boeheim, Jalen Carey, Emily Engstler, Trill Williams, and Andre Cisco. He’s still playing college basketball, now in his fourth season at Charlotte. He’s a key contributor for the 49ers, but that team has taken a major step back after a great debut season for head coach Aaron Fearne last year.
Charlotte is 9-16, and 2-10 in the American Conference.