Sadiq White Jr. is already drawing national buzz before Syracuse’s 2026-27 season even tips off.
Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports and 247Sports recently put together a list of 10 under-the-radar breakout players for the upcoming season, and the Syracuse sophomore forward made the cut. White, a 6-foot-8, 207-pound prospect from Charlotte, N.C., is one of the players Rothstein highlighted as a name to watch.
Rothstein wrote: "Gerry McNamara's ability to retain White was a major coup. A freak athlete, the 6-foot-9 White is built physically like some of the elite players who have thrived for the Orange in the past."
That kind of praise matters for a Syracuse team trying to turn the page after a 15-17 finish in 2025-26, its second straight losing season. The program moved on from third-year head coach Adrian Autry and brought in former Syracuse standout guard Gerry McNamara to lead the next chapter.
White’s freshman season gave a glimpse of why he’s on the breakout radar. He played 15.1 minutes per game and averaged 6.1 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 54.7 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from 3-point range and 51.3 percent at the line.
His profile lines up cleanly with what McNamara wants from his team. White arrived with a reputation as a high-energy player and a strong defensive prospect, and that should fit the Orange’s emphasis on defense, energy, grit and toughness.
There’s also a clear path to more offense. White’s athleticism and ability to attack the rim could put him on the foul line often if defenders keep reaching in, though his free-throw percentage will need to climb. His 3-point touch already showed some promise last season, too, and if he can stay steady from deep, that opens another layer to his game.
A more reliable outside shot would force defenders to respect him higher on the floor, which in turn could create driving lanes and better chances around the basket. It would also help Syracuse space the floor and create cleaner looks for teammates on the perimeter and inside.
In Other News...
Former Syracuse Guard Is Suddenly One Step From The NBA
Quadir Copeland is suddenly right on the doorstep of the NBA after signing a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets, a sharp turn for a player who went undrafted but kept his name in the conversation with a strong showing in Summer League. For Syracuse fans, it is another reminder of how quickly a former Orange guard can go from college standout to a legitimate pro opportunity, especially after building his path through stops at McNeese State and North Carolina State as well.
Copeland now has a real chance to make his NBA debut soon, with Houston potentially using him in an upcoming game against the Atlanta Hawks. Even before that first appearance, the move signals how much the Rockets valued what they saw this summer, and it gives Copeland a clear opening to prove he belongs at the next level after taking the long road through college and into the professional ranks. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Faces One Big March Madness Test Under Gerry McNamara
Gerry McNamara has taken over at Syracuse with the program in a familiar spot: trying to climb back into relevance after the decision to move on from Adrian Autry. The preseason outlook is not especially kind to the Orange, either in the ACC or on the national stage, but there is at least a path for the season to mean something if the group can turn defensive growth into actual results.
Syracuses schedule gives it chances to chip away at a tournament case, which is what makes the early stretch worth watching even if an immediate surge feels like a long shot. For McNamara, the challenge is less about changing the conversation overnight and more about proving this team can string together enough quality work to keep itself in the March discussion. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Looks Sharp Early But One Orange Question Still Lingers
Syracuse came out looking organized and energetic against Niagara at KeyBank Center, using a steady first-half effort to take a 33-26 lead into the break in Buffalo. The Orange showed enough balance to keep control without having to lean on one burst, and the early minutes suggested a team settling in quickly on a neutral floor.
The first half also offered a useful snapshot of where Syracuse stands right now, with contributions spread around and the kind of pace that can make a game feel comfortable even when the margin is still modest. Still, the bigger question remains whether that early sharpness can hold up once Niagara starts making adjustments and the Orange are asked to sustain it for a full 40 minutes. [Read more 🡒]