The men's basketball transfer portal doesn't open up until Tuesday following Monday's national championship game between UConn and Michigan, but new Syracuse head coach Gerry McNamara is already hard at work finding the next group of Orange players.

According to multiple reports, Syracuse has already secured a commitment from European sharpshooter Mark Morano of Slovenia, the same country that produced NBA star Luke Doncic.

Per @nbadraftpoint on social media:

Syracuse lands one of the top international pickups of the cycle, in 19 year old Mark Morano out of Slovenia

Walking bucket out of Olimpija, who has been big time scorer everywhere he’s played. Recently had a 41 point game on 66% shooting in a pro game in the ABA2

Morano is 6'7, but should bring a more perimeter-oriented game to the roster.

Well, the team is losing starters William Kyle III and JJ Starling to graduation, so that immediately puts them two players down. Furthermore, starting guard Naithan George has entered the transfer portal, as have three additional players, including sharpshooter Tyler Betsey. That means that Syracuse is at least six players down from the 2025-26 group, and there are questions about if Nate Kingz can return, and if Donnie Freeman will return.

Essentially, McNamara has to bring in almost an entirely new roster. Kiyan Anthony returning to campus is about the only certainty at this moment.

Syracuse is expected to bring in Siena transfer Gavin Doty, who played for McNamara at Siena. He's 6'5 and plays a guard-forward hybrid, similar to Anthony and Morano. If Sadiq White Jr. returns: He's 6'9 but plays a long power forward type position and relies on athleticism.

All that's to say that SU has a lot of similar-types of players right now: Guys who can play on the wing. McNamara will want to bring in a true center and a true point guard around this group.

Reminder: The Orange have no high school commits for the following season, so these international recruits and the portal are very important.

--Kyle competed in the national college slam dunk contest over the weekend as part of the Final Four. Here's what happened.

--George is expected to be in play for Kentucky in the transfer portal, though there will likely be other suitors. He averaged just under 11 points and just over five assists this season at Syracuse. 

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