Syracuse Basketball suffered a huge blow on Monday, months before the season is set to begin. Syracuse.com’s Donna Ditota reported Monday afternoon that sophomore forward Taurean Thompson withdrew from Syracuse University and likely will not be back. He averaged 9.2 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game as a freshman lasts season.
In a statement, Jim Boeheim noted Thompson’s leave of absence and said “My understanding is he wants to go to school closer to home due to some family health issues.”
While the circumstances surrounding the family healthy issue are largely unknown, remaining close to home is not a new subject for Thompson. He committed to the Orange last summer after a rare, drawn out recruiting process. Thompson had narrowed his list to Syracuse, Michigan State, and Seton Hall. It was widely speculated that while Thompson wanted to come to SU, his mother Sherese Piper wanted him to go to Seton Hall so he could play close to home.
Which brings us to today. Gannett New Jersey learned that Seton Hall commit Darnell Brodie opted to go to prep school this year, opening a roster spot for the Pirates. Shortly thereafter, BarstoolReags, a college basketball reporter for Barstool Sports, has reported that Thompson is on Seton Hall’s campus, and expected to announce his transfer there.
Source: Taurean Thompson is on Seton Hall's campus with him expected to announce his transfer to SH within the next week.
— Bobby Reagan (@BarstoolReags) August 28, 2017
With the family health issue cited in Boeheim’s statement, as well as Seton Hall’s proximity to Thompson’s hometown of New York City, and the roster spot opening abruptly, it makes sense why all the pieces fit together.
The impact of Thompson’s departure will certainly be felt for the Orange, an already inexperienced team. His scoring presence inside as a freshman was a big boost to the frontcourt, and he was expected to be a steady scoring threat and shot creator this season. Without him, contributions from members like Paschal Chukwu, Oshae Brissett, Matthew Moyer, and Bourama Sidibe will be counted upon. Out of this group, only Chukwu played last season, and his year ended early with an injury. The Orange open the season November 10, against Cornell.
Keith Bremer is a 2015 graduate of Newark High School and is currently attending Syracuse University and is a contributor to FingerLakes1.com. Comments and feedback on this article can be posted below or directed to Keith at [email protected].
