Syracuse losing 6-foot-8 sharpshooter to transfer portal after Gerry McNamara hire

Tyler Betsey plans to enter the transfer portal after one season with the Orange.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:27pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college basketball player shooting a 3-pointer, with the player's form broken down into overlapping planes of vibrant orange and blue hues.The departure of a talented 3-point shooter signals the start of a new era for Syracuse basketball under coach Gerry McNamara.Syracuse Today

The Syracuse Orange men's basketball team will likely see significant roster turnover after the hiring of new head coach Gerry McNamara. One player who has already announced plans to enter the transfer portal is 6-foot-8 forward Tyler Betsey, who spent his freshman season at the University of Cincinnati before transferring to Syracuse.

Why it matters

Betsey was a top-50 recruit in the Class of 2024 known for his outside shooting ability, averaging 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 40.7% from 3-point range for the Orange this past season. His departure is an early sign of the changes McNamara will make to the Syracuse roster.

The details

Betsey averaged just 11 minutes per game in his lone season at Cincinnati before transferring to Syracuse, where he saw his playing time increase to 18 minutes per contest. However, with McNamara now in charge, Betsey has decided to enter the transfer portal in search of a better opportunity to showcase his skills, particularly his 3-point shooting.

  • Betsey spent the 2022-23 season playing for Syracuse.
  • Gerry McNamara was hired as the new head coach of the Orange in April 2026.

The players

Tyler Betsey

A 6-foot-8 forward who was a top-50 recruit in the Class of 2024. He spent his freshman season at the University of Cincinnati before transferring to Syracuse, where he averaged 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 40.7% from 3-point range.

Gerry McNamara

The new head coach of the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team, hired in April 2026 to replace Adrian Autry.

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What they’re saying

“It makes sense for Betsey to try something new, because the new faces brought in by McNamara would have the potential to overtake a returning player who G-Mac never recruited.”

— Billy Heyen, Author

What’s next

With Betsey's departure, Syracuse will likely continue to see more roster turnover as McNamara puts his stamp on the program.

The takeaway

The transfer of Tyler Betsey, a talented 3-point shooter, is an early sign that the Syracuse men's basketball team will undergo significant changes under new head coach Gerry McNamara. This is a common occurrence in college basketball when a coaching change occurs, as players seek out new opportunities that may better fit their skills and playing style.