Syracuse Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2023-24 season

Shooting Guard

Starter – J.J. Starling (32 mpg)

J.J. Starling was another ACC-All Freshman performer in the conference this past season with Notre Dame. He produced 11.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 1.1 apg on 42.1 percent shooting from the floor in his debut season. The retirement of head coach Mike Brey played a role in his decision to move North to remain in the ACC with the Orange. He’ll share some of the guard duties with Mintz while bringing his own skill set to the mix.

He’s shown he can knock down the 3-ball, though it isn’t his strong suit. He shot 29.9 percent from deep this past season. He’s still a solid ball-handler and has shown he can make plays. His ability to operate inside the arc should give the Orange some success at the shooting guard role.

Bench – Justin Taylor, Chance Westry

It’s another battle for minutes at the backup shooting guard role between a returner and a transfer. Justin Taylor and Chance Westry should both see minutes dependent on need. If the Orange need a burst of offense, Taylor holds the edge. He averaged 4.2 ppg and 1.8 rpg on 39.3 percent shooting from deep across 29 appearances (2 starts) this past season. He knocked down 24 3-pointers as a freshman in 2022-23.

If the Orange need a defender, Westry holds the edge. He’s a wiry defender at 6-foot-6 who can turn defense into offense in a hurry. He turned in a 99.5 defensive rating with the Auburn Tigers across 11 appearances in 2022-23.