Syracuse starting forward Justin Taylor is entering the transfer portal, a source confirms. The news was first reported by On3. Taylor has two years of eligibility remaining. Taylor started every game for the Orange this past season. He averaged 5.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 23 minutes per game.
Taylor played out of position all year, being forced into playing power forward with Benny Williams out of the starting lineup and then off of the team, along with injuries at center forcing Maliq Brown to play the five. While trying to figure out that role, Taylor lost confidence in his outside shot.
Known as a strong shooter out of high school and after shooting 39% from three point range as a freshman, he was expected to be one of the players to help stretch opposing defenses to create driving lines for Syracuse guards. However, he shot only 30% this season and last made a three pointer on February 3rd at Wake Forest.
He would, though, change his role and contribute to the offense by becoming more of a slasher who could finish at the rim. He scored in double figures in two of the last three regular season games.
Taylor was also at the center of a fan related incident where the student section booed him during player introductions one game. Taylor handled that with class, never commenting or complaining publicly.
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