Perhaps the final piece of the 2017-18 puzzle?
USF Bulls graduate transfer Geno Thorpe will visit the Syracuse Orange later this week, a source told Syracuse.com’s Mike Waters. Thorpe will be on campus Thursday and Friday to do the usual — checking out facilities, meeting with Jim Boeheim and the staff, and likely getting to know a few potential teammates.
Since Thorpe is a graduate transfer, he’d be able to play for the Orange immediately. The 6-foot-4 point guard averaged 15.1 points and 4.6 assists per game (both led the Bulls), while hitting nearly 85 percent of his free throws and 37.5 percent of three point shots. All of those numbers were big improvements on his previous production, as a freshman and sophomore at Penn State (in 2013-14, and 2014-15).
As you know, Thorpe wouldn’t be the first grad transfer to arrive at Syracuse -- should he end up coming here. The team had two last year, in Andrew White III and Jon Gillon, and both worked out reasonably well for a team that needed some help in terms of shooting and ball-handling, respectively.
Coming out of high school, Thorpe was a three-star prospect, with offers from PSU, Kansas State, Pitt, Rutgers, Seton Hall and Wisconsin, according to 247Sports. The Pittsburgh native chose the Nittany Lions, but left when he realized it wasn’t the right fit.
Thorpe’s selection is down to Pitt and SU, though he has no timetable for his decision. He’s already visited the Panthers, however, so one might assume he’ll have all he needs to commit once he’s done with the Orange this weekend.
Should Thorpe choose Syracuse, he’d provide some immediate clarity on the point guard spot, and help us all feel a bit better about the backcourt.
SU has one remaining scholarship at the moment for 2017-18. Along with class of 2017 high school commits Oshae Brissett, Bourama Sidibe, Howard Washington, the team has also added Slovakian forward Marek Dolezaj (a freshman) and East Carolina transfer Elijah Hughes (will have three years left to play after sitting one).
Some tape on Thorpe below, for those who’d like to further familiarize yourselves. We’ll provide updates as we get them during/after his visit.
