The programs announced which players will be speaking on behalf programs for the event in October.
The Syracuse Orange men's and women's basketball teams are still more than a month away from starting their upcoming regular seasons. But before the Orange get the 2026-27 games under way, both teams will send players to represent the school at the Atlantic Coast Conference's (ACC) Basketball Tip-Off event this October.
What is ACC Basketball Tip Off?
This year's ACC Basketball Tip-Off will be held Oct. 5-7 in Charlotte, N.C. All 18 of the conference's basketball programs will be represented during the event. This same event happens each year in football, but of course, there is one extra school in the mix (Notre Dame). Syracuse women's basketball is scheduled to be featured on Oct. 5 while men's basketball is scheduled to featured on both Oct. 6 and Oct. 7
The three-day event is scheduled to feature press conferences with head coaches and student-athletes from all 18 schools.
Additionally, media members will cast their votes for the preseason all-conference awards and teams. Those voting results will be released to the public later this fall.
The Syracuse women's team advanced to the NCAA Tournament, losing in the Round of 32 to UConn. The men went 15-17 and haven't made the NCAA Tournament since 2021.
What players are representing Syracuse at the ACC basketball Tip-Off?
Uche Izoje-
Izoje, a 6-foot-3 center from Nigeria, was the 2025-26 ACC Rookie of the Year and a unanimous First Team All-ACC selection. Izoje led Syracuse in scoring and rebounds while also leading the entire ACC in blocks per game with 2.6.
Angelica Velez-
A senior guard from the Bronx, NY, Velez joined Syracuse from LSU in the offseason. The 5-foot-7 playmaker is projected to play a pivotal role for the Orange this season.
Gavin Doty-
A 6-foot-5 forward from Fulton, NY, Doty followed McNamara to Syracuse following two seasons together at Siena.
Doty was a First-Team All-MAAC selection who helped lead Siena to the school's first NCAA tournament appearance in over 15 years.
Aiden Tobiason-
A Delaware native, Tobiason played two seasons at Temple. In 32 games for the Owls, the 6-foot-5 forward averaged 15.3 ppg on 48.0 percent shooting. He pulled down 3.7 rebounds and dished out two assists per game. He was an All-Freshman team selection in 2024-25 for the AAC.
Tobiason, like Doty are a part of a strong group of transfers making their debuts for the Orange this season.
Notable news and notes from both programs this month
--On the men's side, assistant head coach Ben Lee was named to a prestigious national list. Lee joined McNamara from Siena this past spring and should serve as a strong piece of the team's coaching staff.
--Our own Brady Farkas covered how a recently announced non-conference game with Rutgers could have an influence on the team's overall season production.
--The week of Thanksgiving will look a little different for this year's women's team. Find out when and where the squad will be spending the holiday.
