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Former Syracuse Basketball Player Picks New School For Year Five
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- Former Syracuse Basketball Player Picks New School For Year Five
JJ Starling has had one of the more unique career journeys from a Syracuse basketball perspective over the past decade. A local product from Baldwinsville High School, Starling was expected to sign with the Orange following the completion of his high school career. Instead, Starling transferred to a prep school and eventually signed with Notre Dame , playing his freshman year with the rival ACC school.
Mike Brey left as the head coach of the Fighting Irish and Starling not too long after.
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Starling then decided to join the Syracuse basketball program.
Unfortunately injuries and a lack of overall team success hindered Starling's time in blue and Orange.
Now, after being included in a lawsuit involving college athletes in an effort to gain a fifth year of eligibility, Starling has selected his next school for the upcoming season.
Where is JJ Starling playing next year?
According to national college basketball reporter Jon Rothstein , Starling will be playing with the Buffalo Bulls, if he can keep the eligibility. The NCAA continues to fight these fifth year decisions and each case remains up in the air.
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How did Buffalo basketball perform in 2025-26?
The Bulls competed as a member of the MAC conference last season. Buffalo finished with a 17-15 overall record, which included an opening round loss in the conference tournament.
How did Starling perform?
After averaging 17.8 ppg as a junior, Starling regressed in 2025-26, scoring just 10.9 ppg, the lowest average of any of his four collegiate seasons. He shot just 28.9 percent from three-point range. He averaged 2.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Orange, who went 15-17.
Syracuse Orange guard JJ Starling (2) is announced in the starting lineup before the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena. Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images
What does Starling not returning to Syracuse mean for the Orange?
This should have little to no changes in the team's plans. Starling had been projected to not be a part of the upcoming 2026-27 roster under first year head coach Gerry McNamara anyways because of graduation, so the program had already moved on.
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Dropping down in conference stature is an interesting decision for Starling, but one that allows him to put up bigger numbers, perhaps giving him a better chance at the NBA next season.
Does Buffalo play Syracuse this season?
Last season, Buffalo opened up its season with an exhibition game against the Orange. Syracuse left with a 76-66 win.
As of now, the Bulls and Orange are not listed as a matchup on either school's schedule. The Orange are scheduled to take a trip to Buffalo in October for an exhibition game against Niagara.
Syracuse will host a school hailing from Buffalo, Canisius, on Dec. 16 inside the JMA Wireless Dome.
