Syracuse Basketball: Orange gets transfer Alan Griffin, loses out on Patrick Tape again
Syracuse Basketball received a commitment from transfer Alan Griffin over the weekend, but they still have work to do on the recruiting trail in 2020. So, what’s next?
The Syracuse Basketball “reeled in a big fish” over the weekend with former Illinois guard Alan Griffin committing to the Orange on April 4. Griffin also received interest from Arizona, Dayton, Duke, Iowa State, Miami, and Texas.
“The main reason was that their plan matched mine,” Griffin told Syracuse.com via text. “They were straight-forward (with) what needed to be done.”
Griffin made great strides in his second season with the Illini, although consistency was an issue. The 6-5 wing averaged 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds along with 1.7 3-pointers while shooting 48.1% from the field as well as 41.1% from beyond the arc in 28 appearances this past season. He scored a career-high 24 points on the 9-for-11 shooting, which included going 6-for-8 from beyond the arc against Northwestern (Feb. 27) and produced a double-double against Purdue (Jan. 5.) Overall, Griffin scored in double-figures 10 times.
The Ossining (NY) native is expected to have to sit out this upcoming season unless the NCAA grants all transfers immediate eligibility. Regardless he will have two years of eligibility left. If the versatile Griffin can play this year, he would likely start at small forward as Elijah Hughes has departed for the NBA Draft or provide depth in the backcourt as Joe Girard, Buddy Boeheim, and Kadary Richmond are currently the only backcourt players on the Orange roster. He also should be a disruptive force on top or on either the wings in the Cuse’s 2-3 zone due to his length. Additionally, Giffin is a strong rebounder.
Griffin is the son of former NBA player and current Toronto Raptors assistant coach Adrian Griffin. His brother, AJ Griffin, is a 2021 Duke commit.
While the Orange got good news about Griffin, they once again got disappointing news when Patrick Tape re-committed to Duke. SU was reportedly the favorite for the 6-10 Columbia transfer after he had a temporary change of heart and de-committed from Duke.
Syracuse currently has two scholarships left to divvy out for the 2020 season, and the Orange could use both a guard and a forward, though the addition of two guards wouldn’t hurt either.
Here are three transfers that the Orange should pursue:
Khalif Battle, Butler
Battle, the brother of former Orange wing Tyus Battle was a target for Syracuse before he ultimately chose the Bulldogs. The 2019 four-star recruit didn’t play in any of Butler’s final three games this past season and averaged just three points on 33.3% shooting and 30% shooting from beyond the arc in 11 minutes over 24 appearances. The 6-5 combo guard scored in double-figures twice with both of the occurrences coming in the nonconference season, against IUPUI and Southern. Butler would have to sit out the 2020-21 season.
Jalen Johnson, Tennessee
Johnson went from a seldom-used wing his first two years with to a key reserve as a junior for the Volunteers. The 6-6 grad transfer averaged 3.5 points, two rebounds, and one assist though he shot just 37% from the field and 31.9% from beyond the arc over 15 minutes of action last season. Johnson is long and has the ability to knock down perimeter shots. He started two games this past season and scored in double-figures twice.
Next. Takeaways from 2020 recruiting classes. dark
Deshawn Corprew, Texas Tech
Corprew didn’t play this season after getting suspended for Title IX violations in June 2019. The 6-5 wing averaged 5.0 points and 3.3 rebounds over13.5 minutes per game in 37 games as a sophomore. He shot 56% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc. Corprew, who will be eligible in January, also scored in double-figures seven times and produced one double-double.