Gavin Doty commits to Syracuse basketball Gavin Doty, a 6-5, 190-pound guard from Siena, has officially committed to Syracuse University’s basketball program. The decision marks a significant addition to the Orange’s roster, as Doty joins the team following his two seasons at Siena under head coach Gerry McNamara. A four-star transfer prospect ranked 46th in the transfer portal, Doty’s commitment was announced amid a flurry of other commitments, including Tiefing Diawara, who also pledged to Syracuse. Doty’s journey to Syracuse began during his high school years at Fulton High School, where he remained largely under the radar as a recruit. However, his potential caught the attention of McNamara, who was then an assistant coach at Syracuse. McNamara, now leading Siena, reached out to Doty after taking the head coaching position at the Saints, and the two developed a strong mentor-mentee relationship. This connection played a pivotal role in Doty’s decision to follow McNamara to Syracuse, a school where he had long rooted for as a fan. During his two seasons at Siena, Doty has shown marked improvement under McNamara’s guidance. Last season, he emerged as the Saints’ leading scorer, averaging 18.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. His shooting efficiency was notable, with a 46% field goal percentage and 33% three-point accuracy. This performance earned him a unanimous All-MAAC First Team selection, a testament to his impact on the court. Doty’s growth under McNamara’s coaching has been particularly evident in his shooting development. Despite increased minutes and a more demanding role, he has maintained his outside shooting ability while also refining his mid-range game and off-the-dribble skills.#syracuse_university #gerry_mcnamara #gavin_doty #siena #maac_conference
Orange Face #1 UConn in NCAA Tournament Monday Night Syracuse University’s women’s basketball team will face its most challenging test of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Monday when it takes on top-ranked and undefeated UConn (35-0) in the second round. The game, scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN, marks a significant milestone for the Orange, who advanced to the second round after defeating Iowa State in the first round. Syracuse, seeded ninth, will look to continue its strong NCAA Tournament run, having reached the second round in eight of its last nine appearances. The Orange’s victory over Iowa State was fueled by standout performances from freshman center Uche Izoje and sophomore guard Olivia Schmitt. Izoje contributed 23 points, while Schmitt scored a career-high 15 points, including a crucial sequence of five consecutive three-pointers in the second quarter that sealed the win. Syracuse enters the matchup with a 24-8 record for the season, despite being picked to finish 13th in the ACC preseason poll. UConn, however, presents a formidable challenge. The Huskies have a storied history against Syracuse, with the Orange holding an all-time record of 12-41 in the series. The last Syracuse win over UConn dates back to January 2, 1996, a game that holds personal significance for current Syracuse head coach Felisha Legette-Jack. Legette-Jack, who was an assistant on that team, now faces her former mentor, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, in a matchup that carries deep historical ties. Auriemma recruited Legette-Jack as an assistant at Virginia in the mid-1980s, but she chose to stay at Syracuse, where she became an All-American. Auriemma went on to build a dominant program at UConn, and the two coaches are set to meet again in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years.#syracuse_university #uconn #geno_auriemma #uche_izoje #olivia_schmitt
Syracuse reportedly targeting former player Gerry McNamara as its next men's basketball coach Syracuse University is finalizing a deal to hire former player Gerry McNamara as its next men’s basketball head coach following the dismissal of Adrian Autry. The move comes after Syracuse finished the 2025-26 season with a 15-17 record and a six-game losing streak, including four consecutive losses to unranked opponents. McNamara, who previously coached Siena to a 23-12 record and an NCAA tournament berth, is set to replace Autry, who led the Orange for his first season after taking over from legendary coach Jim Boeheim. McNamara’s coaching career at Siena saw the Saints improve from 14-18 in his debut season to 23-12 in 2025, securing a spot in the MAAC tournament. The team advanced to the NCAA tournament, where they faced No. 1 Duke in a historic matchup. Despite a 71-65 loss, Siena led Duke by 11 points at halftime, the largest halftime lead ever recorded by a No. 16 seed against a No. 1 team. However, the Saints’ depth was severely impacted when starter Antonio Chandler was ruled ineligible, a decision the NCAA attributed to an “institutional mistake” by Siena. Before joining Siena, McNamara spent his entire college coaching career at Syracuse, returning in 2009 as a graduate manager and later serving as an assistant. He became associate head coach for the 2023-24 season. McNamara’s playing career at Syracuse included a standout 2003 NCAA championship season, where he averaged 13.3 points per game as a four-year starter and a three-time All-Big East selection. Autry’s first season as Syracuse’s head coach saw the Orange go 20-12, but the team’s performance declined to 14-19 in 2024-25. Syracuse has not advanced beyond the Sweet 16 since 2021 and has not secured an NCAA tournament berth higher than a No.#syracuse_university #gerry_mcnamara #adrian_autry #jim_boeheim #maac_tournament
Syracuse to Hire Gerry McNamara as Head Basketball Coach Syracuse University is set to hire Gerry McNamara as its next head basketball coach, according to sources who confirmed the deal is expected to finalize soon. McNamara, a former standout player and assistant coach for the Orange, will replace Jonny Flynn, who was fired earlier this month after failing to lead the team to the NCAA tournament in any of his three seasons. McNamara’s hiring comes after he guided Siena to the NCAA tournament in his first season as head coach, securing a spot in the MAAC conference tournament and leading the Saints to a historic upset against No. 1 seed Duke. The Saints became the first 16-seed in NCAA tournament history to lead a 1-seed by double digits at halftime. His two-year tenure at Siena saw the team post a 37-30 record, marking a significant turnaround for the program. McNamara’s connection to Syracuse runs deep. He was a key player for the Orange, helping them win a national championship in 2003 and later having his No. 3 jersey retired in 2003. He holds records for most 3-pointers made and minutes played in program history, earning All-Big East honors three times. After a brief professional career, McNamara returned to Syracuse as a graduate assistant in 2009 and was promoted to an assistant coach under Jim Boeheim in 2011. When Boeheim retired in 2023, McNamara was elevated to associate head coach under Adrian Autry, who later became the head coach. Syracuse athletic director Bryan Blair has been in frequent contact with McNamara, including in-person and virtual meetings, as the university sought a coach committed to NIL (name, image, likeness) opportunities and competitive success in the ACC. The hiring reflects Syracuse’s desire to rebuild its program, which struggled under Autry’s leadership.#syracuse_university #gerry_mcnamara #siena #jonny_flynn #bryan_blair
ICE Detains Former Syracuse University Player; Student Visa Risks Emerge Federal immigration agents detained John Bol Ajak, a former Syracuse University basketball player, after concerns arose about his expired student visa status. The individual was transferred to Moshannon Valley Processing Center, where he will face potential custody or removal proceedings. The case highlights the swift transition of visa status issues from administrative concerns to immigration enforcement actions, particularly when noncitizens are no longer enrolled in academic programs or lack valid documentation. When a noncitizen loses legal status, immigration authorities may issue a Notice to Appear, detain the individual, or release them on bond. Immigration judges then determine custody or removal based on factors such as recent enrollment, work history, and eligibility for relief. The detention of Bol Ajak underscores how quickly visa lapses can escalate, especially for students who are no longer affiliated with their institutions. For F-1 visa holders, maintaining legal status typically requires full-time study, valid I-20 forms, and timely updates in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) by designated school officials (DSOs). Disruptions in enrollment, unauthorized employment, or missed updates can lead to loss of status. Universities must ensure accurate records and prompt communication with students to mitigate risks. The Bol Ajak case illustrates the importance of rigorous DSO processes and proactive student advising to prevent enforcement actions. Universities are advised to implement documented check-ins with DSOs, verify travel plans, and review documentation swiftly when team roles change or scholarships end.#john_bol_ajak #syracuse_university #ice #moshannon_valley_processing_center #sevis
Former SU Men’s Basketball Player Detained by ICE John Bol Ajak, a former Syracuse University men’s basketball player, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to reports from syracuse.com. Ajak, who previously played for the Orange from 2019 to 2023, was first taken to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia before being transferred to ICE’s Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Pennsylvania. Ajak faced multiple charges related to trespassing at the Newhouse School of Public Communications. Syracuse.com reported that he was charged with trespassing on January 31 and February 18, while the Daily Orange noted a similar incident involving a former student who was removed after violating a no-trespass order on January 30 and February 17. Syracuse University communications did not confirm whether Ajak was the individual involved in these incidents. Ajak has been arrested four times on campus since December 2022. The incidents include: February 18: Charged with two counts of third-degree criminal trespass, arrested at the Newhouse School. January 31: Charged with third-degree criminal trespass, arrested at the Newhouse School. January 30: Charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, arrested at the Newhouse School. December 17: Charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, arrested by police near the JMA Wireless Dome. Following his arrest on February 18, Ajak was released on pretrial supervision but failed to appear for a scheduled court date on February 23, leading to his arrest and referral to ICE. Ajak earned his undergraduate degree from the College of Visual and Performing Arts in December 2022.#john_bol_ajak #syracuse_university #ice #newhouse_school_of_publiccommunications #jma_wireless_dome
Kiyan Anthony won’t play for Syracuse basketball against Pittsburgh due to injury Syracuse University’s men’s basketball team will be without freshman forward Kiyan Anthony for its final regular-season game against Pittsburgh, as he was ruled out due to a lower-body injury. The decision was announced by SU men’s basketball director of communications Pete Moore, who cited the ACC availability report released on Friday night. Anthony, who suffered the injury during the Orange’s most recent game against Louisville, is expected to miss Saturday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Panthers. The injury occurred during the Orange’s loss to Louisville, though the exact timing of when Anthony sustained the injury remains unclear. Anthony played 19 minutes in that game, contributing four points. His absence leaves Syracuse without one of its key contributors, as the team prepares for its final regular-season contest. Syracuse may also be without another promising freshman, Sadiq White Jr., due to a left shoulder injury. White sustained the injury while attempting to grab a rebound against Louisville, though he was able to return to the game. Despite the setback, White finished the contest with eight points and four rebounds in 17 minutes, showcasing his potential. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, will also be missing several players for Saturday’s game. The Panthers’ biggest absence will be Brandin Cummings, who scored a game-high 29 points in their previous matchup against Syracuse. Cummings, who averages 12.5 points per game, has not played since late January due to a season-ending ankle injury. The Panthers’ roster will also be without other key players, though all have been sidelined for over a month.#syracuse_university #kiyan_anthony #pittsburgh_panthers #pete_moore #brandin_cummings
How Syracuse University’s next chancellor made helping vets a $300M pillar of the school Syracuse University’s new chancellor, Michael Haynie, has transformed the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families into a cornerstone of the university, securing over $300 million in external funding since its founding in 2007. The institute, which began as a small class of 17 veterans, now operates from a state-of-the-art $63 million facility and has become a national symbol of Syracuse’s commitment to veteran support. Haynie, who has led the institute since 2011, has also revitalized the university’s business school and expanded its role as a hub for veteran education. Nick Ripplinger, a 39-year-old veteran and founder of Battle Sight Technologies, credits Haynie with helping him launch his multimillion-dollar company. Ripplinger participated in the institute’s training programs in 2017, which equipped him with the skills to develop products for military and search-and-rescue operations. He describes Haynie as a mentor who consistently provides resources to veteran entrepreneurs, even reconnecting with him over coffee at the institute’s annual training conference in Dallas. Haynie’s impact extends beyond veterans. As vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, executive dean of the Whitman School of Management, and director of the IVMF, he has reshaped Syracuse’s academic and administrative landscape. His leadership during the pandemic, as a key advisor to former Chancellor Kent Syverud, further solidified his reputation as a problem-solver. Despite his busy schedule—often rising at 4:30 a.m.—Haynie prioritizes engaging with students, frequently joining them for lunch at campus dining halls.#syracuse_university #michael_haynie #d_aniello_institute #battle_sight_technologies #whitman_school_of_management
Former Syracuse Basketball Player Detained by Federal Immigration Agents Syracuse, N.Y. — A former Syracuse University basketball player who fled civil war in South Sudan has been arrested and detained by federal immigration agents. John Bol Ajak, 26, was held at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Pennsylvania, according to ICE records. The incident marks another troubling chapter for the 6-foot-10 backup center, whose journey from conflict to college basketball had become a source of hope before recent legal complications. Ajak, who was still residing in Syracuse, was arrested by local police at least four times on campus for offenses such as trespassing and disorderly conduct. One incident occurred near the JMA Dome, and he reportedly had no stable address. The circumstances of his recent federal detention remain unclear, though his student visa had expired, according to university sources. He was no longer enrolled as a student but had been attempting to re-enter graduate courses. Ajak’s legal troubles escalated in early 2026. He was arrested twice in January for disorderly conduct and criminal trespass at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication, where he had previously studied. Recent records show he had been homeless and couch-surfing, a detail confirmed by a friend. His last arrest occurred on Feb. 18, after which he was released on pretrial conditions. However, he missed a scheduled court appearance, leading to a bench warrant for the trespass charge. Born in Natinga, South Sudan, Ajak’s family fled the country when he was 19 months old, seeking refuge in a Kenyan camp. There, he endured poverty and hunger, often writing in the sand during classes.#john_bol_ajak #syracuse_university #ice #moshannon_valley_processing_center #jma_dome
