UVA Basketball: What could Adrian Autry bring with him from Syracuse?

With former Syracuse coach Adrian Autry now on UVA Basketball coach Ryan Odom’s staff, it’s worth taking a look at the roster that Autry just left behind at ’Cuse, to see what of value there may be there, that he could maybe convince to follow him to Charlottesville.

Autry got himself fired because he finished 15-17, losing his last six games – fading big-time after a 12-5 start, 3-1 in the ACC, as of mid-January, but.

He had some dudes.

Like

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• 6’9” sophomore Donnie Freeman: Freeman was the leading scorer for Syracuse this past season (16.5 ppg, 7.2 rebounds/g, 47.4% FG, 30.2% 3FG). I can see him being a great fit, as a four who can extend the defense to the perimeter, and is rugged in the blocks and on the boards.
• 6’3” junior Naithan George: I’ve liked George (10.9 ppg, 5.4 assists/g, 40.5% FG, 29.3% 3FG) since his days at Georgia Tech. He can create for himself and his teammates, and gets to the line (3.4 FTAs/g in 2025-2026).
• 6’8” sophomore Tyler Betsey: Good shooter (40.7% 3FG) with size (225 pounds).
• 6’9” freshman Sadiq White: Another tall guy who can shoot it (54.7% FG, 36.8% 3FG).

Roster fits

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I could find a spot for a Donnie Freeman any day of the week, but how he would mesh with Thijs de Ridder would be the question.

Freeman and de Ridder are both alphas.

You can only have one of those.

Virginia has needs in the post – for a backup at the four spot, which could be Silas Barksdale, a four-star recruit who redshirted as a true freshman this past season; and a backup at the five spot, behind seven-footer Johann Grunloh.

Either Betsey or White could fit into the mix as backups at the four.

I could see George being a guy to fill the void left by Dallin Hall at the point, alongside Chance Mallory, who I assume slots into the starting lineup at the one.

I like the idea of pairing Mallory (listed at 5’10”) with a bigger point, the way Odom did things this past season, and the way Tony Bennett got the best out of Kihei Clark, running him alongside Ty Jerome and, later, Reece Beekman.

What about Kiyan Anthony?

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The son of Syracuse legend Carmelo Anthony is not going to be an option here.

’Melo made clear that he wasn’t happy with how Autry used his Kiyan (8.0 ppg, 39.9% FG, 25.4% 3FG, 18.7 minutes/g) as a freshman.

Based on those numbers, I don’t see there being an issue with how Autry used Kiyan Anthony, personally.