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Letter From the Editor

Dear Readers,

For the first time since 1976, there's a new face of Syracuse men's basketball, and Adrian Autry has been vocal about his changes. The Orange will play man-to-man on defense as opposed to their coveted 2-3 zone. Autry also wants to play quick and up-tempo, citing SU's depth this season as the key.

Whatever Autry envisions will likely flow through Syracuse's backcourt tandem of Judah Mintz and J.J. Starling. A Baldwinsville (N.Y.) native and former McDonald's All-American, Starling returns to the area after spending his freshman season at Notre Dame. Mintz tested NBA Draft waters in the summer, looking to use his sophomore season with the Orange as another case for going pro.

Like Mintz, SU women's basketball's Dyaisha Fair spent the offseason working on feedback she received from professional scouts. She honed in on her defense playing 3x3 with Team USA at the U23 Nations League. Now in her graduate season, Fair is the undisputed leader of a squad that hopes to build on a WNIT Super 16 finish during head coach Felisha Legette-Jack's first year at the helm in 2022-23.

Along with Fair, shooting guard Georgia Woolley returns as a premier scoring option and forward Alyssa Latham, ESPN's No. 72 recruit in the 2023 recruiting class, adds a much-needed inside presence.

The Daily Orange's 2023 Basketball Guide previews a new era of Syracuse basketball with welcome signs of continuity too.


Thanks for reading,

Tyler Schiff | Sports Editor
Photo of the fall 2023 Sports Editor Tyler Schiff

Adrian Autry

Photo of Adrian Autry

RED IS THE NEW ORANGE


By: Cole Bambini | Senior Staff Writer

Adrian Autry has made changes, fast. He's implemented a man-to-man defense as opposed to SU's coveted 2-3 zone. He said he wants to play faster and with more depth. A fresh face at the helm of Syracuse basketball for the first time in 47 years, Autry's big plans are already underway.


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Dyaisha Fair

Photo of Dyaisha Fair

POLISHED


By: Cooper Andrews | Asst. Sports Editor

Dyaisha Fair is one of the top offensive players in the nation. But, while exploring professional options, she was told by WNBA teams to improve defensively. So, over the summer, Fair played 3x3 basketball for Team USA, competing in the FIBA U23 Nations League in Rancagua, Chile. There, Fair refined her craft as a defender, becoming more physically and intelligently sound.


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Judah Mintz

Photo of Judah Mintz

PROVE IT


By: Henry O'Brien | Senior Staff Writer

Judah Mintz excelled during his freshman year at Syracuse, averaging 16.3 points and earning 2022-23 Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman Team honors. After testing NBA Draft waters, Mintz announced he'd return for his sophomore year and has spent the offseason improving his perimeter jumpshot.


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Georgia Woolley

Photo of Georgia Woolley

CHIPPING AWAY


Justin Girshon | Asst. Digital Editor

Georgia Woolley had an untraditional path to playing Division I basketball. Growing up in Australia, she lacked exposure as a recruit. To gain more attention, Woolley improved her game by training with Australian coaches Penny Bairstow, Derek Rucker and Bronnie Marshall. Now, she's emerged as a top scoring threat for Syracuse.


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J.J. Starling

Photo of JJ Starling

'HOMETOWN HERO'


By: Tyler Schiff | Sports Editor

J.J. Starling is finally home. The Baldwinsville (N.Y.) native and former McDonald's All-American originally committed to Notre Dame out of high school but entered the transfer portal after his freshman season. Less than 24 hours later he chose Syracuse for the chance to play under Adrian Autry and be reunited with his family.


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Alyssa Latham

Photo of Alyssa Latham

FRESH FACE


By: Zak Wolf | Asst. Sports Editor

Alyssa Latham's dream in fourth grade was to play for Tony Smith at Homewood-Flossmoor high school. After summer workouts before ninth grade, Latham impressed as a defensive forward earning a starting spot. Latham developed, earning numerous Division I offers before committing to Syracuse. In the same position as she was four years ago, Latham is ready to make the same instant impact with the Orange.


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Men's Beat Writer Predictions

Men's basketball players sitting on a bench

By: Daily Orange Sports Staff

Syracuse enters the 2023-24 season retaining its six-man 2022 recruiting class and adding four new transfers. It now sports a dynamic backcourt of former McDonald's All-American J.J. Starling and projected 2024 NBA Draft selection Judah Mintz. After missing the NCAA Tournament over the last two seasons, there are high hopes for Adrian Autry's new-look squad.


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Women's Beat Writer Predictions

Women's basketball players standing in a huddles

By: Daily Orange Sports Staff

In Felisha Legette-Jack's first season at the helm, she led Syracuse to a WNIT Super 16 berth. Now in her second, the Orange return star guard Dyaisha Fair and a slew or newcomers, including sharp-shooting Sophire Burrows and ESPN top 100 recruit Alyssa Latham. This year could be the one where the Orange finally make it over the hump and return to the Big Dance.


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Credits:

Sports Editor: Tyler Schiff
IT Manager: Davis Hood
Editor-in-Chief: Anish Vasudevan
Managing Editor: Kyle Chouinard
Digital Managing Editor: Sophie Szydlik
Digital Design Director: Arlo Stone
Digital Design Director: Cindy Zhang
Co-Photo Editor: Maxine Brackbill
Co-Photo Editor: Cassandra Roshu
Assistant Sports Editor: Cooper Andrews
Assistant Sports Editor: Zak Wolf
Assistant Digital Editor: Aiden Stepansky
Assistant Digital Editor: Justin Girshon
Assistant Copy Editor: Timmy Wilcox
Assistant Copy Editor: Kevin Lu

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