Kansas Transfer Kyle Cuffe Commits to Syracuse Basketball, Discusses Decision
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Kansas transfer guard Kyle Cuffe has committed to Syracuse basketball, he announced on Thursday. Cuffe redshirted his first year (2021-22) with the Jayhawks and only appeared in two games during the 2022-23 campaign before a knee injury cost him the rest of the season. The Orange recruited Cuffe out of Blair Academy in New Jersey as a high school prospect.
"The Syracuse brotherhood," Cuffe said. "The relationship I was able to gain with the coaching staff. And I felt like I needed to move laterally as far as conferences."
During the recruiting process, the Syracuse coaches said their plan for the 6-2, 185 pound guard is to be part of what head coach Adrian Autry is building.
"My role, as far as what the coaches are telling me, is to come in and work hard," Cuffe said. "They have a bright future for me, they have great players. They're talking about, at Syracuse, we can really be a top team. Adding me as well as having JJ (Starling) on the team, having Chance (Westry) on the team and all the other guys on the team. An honest group of guys and coaches. Coach Red is going to make this team special."
RELATED: Kyle Cuffe's Addition Rounds Out Syracuse's 2023-24 Roster
In addition to that, Cuffe fits in with coach Autry's vision of a more up tempo, athletic team.
"Coach Red is trying to play faced pace now," Cuffe said. "Coach Red is trying to go up and down. We're going to change the dynamic of how people look at Syracuse basketball. We're really going to try to not only shock the country but the world."
Being recruited as a transfer was a lot different than as a high school player.
"Out of high school I had more time," Cuffe said. "I entered the portal a lot later than everybody else. Honestly, going through this recruiting process now was a lot better. I was actually able to get a feel for coaches and with coach Red, I felt I got the best connection."
While Cuffe did not visit Syracuse this time around, he said the Orange recruited him out of high school so he has seen the campus before.
As a high school prospect, Cuffe made a name for himself as an extremely athletic, explosive guard who was at his best in transition. He says he is bringing that ability with him to Central New York.
"I'm going to bring that fast pace, I'm going to bring that athleticism," Cuffe said. "I'm going to bring a nice bright smile to the community. But you're also going to get a dog on the court, somebody who isn't going to back down. You're going to get somebody with a chip on his shoulder who wants to prove that he belongs. I'm just ready to start my journey at Syracuse."
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