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

Center

Starter – Naheem McLeod (20 mpg)

Naheem McLeod is another intraconference transfer moving from the Florida State Seminoles into the Syracuse frontcourt to round out the rotation at the center spot. He emerged as quite the defensive anchor in the paint this past season, producing 3.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg and 1.2 bpg on 54.7 percent shooting from the floor across 28 appearances (11 starts).

He finished 10th in the ACC in blocks (33) as he continues to develop in the ACC. He started in the first 11 games for the Seminoles before coming off the bench. He’ll look to play a bigger role for the Orange in replacing Jesse Edwards.

Bench – Mounir Hima, Peter Carey

Mounir Hima and Peter Carey should compete for minutes at the center spot. Hima holds the biggest edge though, given he appeared in 27 games this past season for the Orange, averaging 1.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg and 1.0 bpg. He finished second on the team in blocks (26) behind Jesse Edwards in 2022-23. As he improves his ability to score on offense, look for him to grow in the rotation.

Carey is a redshirt freshman who appeared in just three games in 2022-23 before suffering a lower-body injury. He’ll look to compete with a full bill of health.