Nate Kingz says he isn't sure how it all works, but he would definitely be open to a return.
Speaking after a 77-64 loss against North Carolina on Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse University guard Nate Kingz admitted that he isn't quite sure how it all works, but that he would be open to a return to the Orange in 2026-27.
Kingz has already been in college for five years, so it's unclear if he's just ready to graduate and/or pursue a possible professional career, but getting another year of college eligibility could be explored.
Kingz spent his freshman year at an NAIA school, then went to a junior college for his sophomore year and redshirted in his junior year because of injury. He played a redshirt junior year at Oregon State and this year at Syracuse. So, he's already played four years and received a redshirt: The extra year of eligibility likely comes from deciding whether that NAIA year counts against his eligibility clock.
Kingz has been a welcome addition to the Orange program, providing multiple big offensive games. He's averaging 11.3 ppg on 47.5 percent shooting, while also shooting 36.3 percent from three-point range. On a team that doesn't shoot well from deep, he's by far the best, and most consistent, option.
He's scored in double-figures in eight of his last 11 games, registering 28 against Notre Dame and 27 against Cal.
Up next for the Orange
Syracuse is now 15-13 after the loss and 6-9 inside Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play. With just three regular season games left, they are staring down the likelihood of missing the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight season. The Orange are off for the next week but will resume play on Saturday, Feb. 28 at Wake Forest.
Also on campus
--23,606 fans attended Saturday's men's hoops game, the most fans at any college hoops game this season, in any venue. Former SU star Eric Devendorf, however, appeared to criticize the team on social media.
--Congratulations are in order for Syracuse women's hockey coach Britni Smith, who helped lead Team Canada to the silver medal at the Olympics this week. The Canadians were beaten by the Americans in the gold medal game. Team USA has now won the gold medal in two of the last three Olympics.
--The Syracuse men's lacrosse team lost a disappointing contest against Harvard on Saturday, falling 13-12. Syracuse had moved up to No. 1 in the nation but is sure to fall back in the polls when the new one is released on Monday.
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