J.J. Starling says he’ll join Syracuse in transfer from Notre Dame
Former Notre Dame guard J.J. Starling, one of the top college basketball transfers this spring, told ESPN that he has committed to playing for Syracuse next season.
“I felt like it was a great fit for me,” Starling said. “The coaching staff are people I know I can put my trust in to handle and manage my career the right way.”
Starling will be the first recruit to commit to play for newly appointed head coach Adrian Autry, who succeeds Hall of Famer Jim Boeheim after a 47-year tenure at Syracuse. Autry, the associate head coach at the time, had been a strong recruiter for Starling since high school.
“My relationship with Coach Autry is very strong,” Starling explained. “That is a guy I know I can trust, and he does not sugarcoat anything. He will allow his players to play freely while also instilling confidence whenever necessary. We will push the ball in transition and play to the best of our abilities with
complete confidence. I’ll most likely be a point guard and a shooting guard, but I’m willing to play whatever role is required to win games.
“My relationship with Coach Autry is very strong,” Starling explained. “That is a guy I know I can trust, and he does not sugarcoat anything. He will allow his players to play freely while also instilling confidence whenever necessary. We will push the ball in transition and play to the best of our abilities with complete confidence. I’ll most likely be a point guard and a shooting guard, but I’m willing to play whatever role is required to win games.
“My relationship with Coach Autry is very strong,” Starling explained. “That is a guy I know I can trust, and he does not sugarcoat anything. He will allow his players to play freely while also instilling confidence whenever necessary. We will push the ball in transition and play to the best of our abilities with complete confidence. I’ll most likely be a point guard and a shooting guard, but I’m willing to play whatever role is required to win games.
Starling said even though he didn’t have the year he hoped at Notre Dame, due to head coach Mike Brey’s decision in January to step down, he still learned a lot. “Coach Brey was a great coach and person,” he said. “Even while going through tough times, he tried his best to make sure he was there for all of the players and continued to relay the message: ‘We only have each other.’ I wish him the best in whatever he decides to do
better and improve.”
Starling said even though he didn’t have the year he hoped at Notre Dame, due to head coach Mike Brey’s decision in January to step down, he still learned a lot.
“Coach Brey was a great coach and person,” he said. “Even while going through tough times, he tried his best to make sure he was there for all of the players and continued to relay the message: ‘We only have each other.’ I wish him the best in whatever he decides to do.”
