The Syracuse Orange entered the 2025‑26 campaign with high hopes, but the shooting guard position proved to be a weak link, as senior J.J. Starling saw his production tumble in his final year.
Enter new head coach Gerry McNamara, who took over the program with a mandate to restore its former glory and address the gaps that held the team back.
A new era of perimeter firepower
McNamara has named Aiden Tobiason, a transfer from Temple, as the starter for the upcoming 2026‑27 season, banking on the sophomore’s 15.3 points per game average and a 33.8 percent three‑point clip from last year.
Tobiason also brings a reliable free‑throw percentage of 80, a trait the Orange have long sought to improve.
Kiyan Anthony, son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, will serve as the backup shooting guard; despite averaging eight points as a freshman and shooting just 25.4 percent from beyond the arc, he is viewed as a player with upside who must tighten both his shooting and defensive play.
Depth options include Gavin Doty, who followed McNamara from Siena, and Garwey Dual, a transfer from McNeese State who primarily handles point guard duties but can see minutes at shooting guard.