Syracuse basketball’s redshirt sophomore guard, Kyle Cuffe Jr., is making waves with his explosive athleticism and impressive shooting skills from long range.
Cuffe, weighing in at 190 pounds and standing 6 feet 2 inches tall, hails from Harlem, New York. After spending two seasons with powerhouse Kansas in the Big 12 Conference, he transferred to Syracuse this past off-season.
In the 2021-22 season, Cuffe took a redshirt when the Jayhawks won the national title. Unfortunately, in the 2022-23 season, he only played two games before suffering a knee injury. Reports indicate that he tore his MCL and PCL.
Recently, it was reported that Cuffe had also broken a bone in his right hand. However, head coach Adrian Autry confirmed that Cuffe is now in good health for the 2023-24 season. It was also revealed that Auburn transfer Chance Westry, a sophomore guard/wing, is on the sidelines indefinitely due to a lower-body injury.
With Westry out of the picture for now, Cuffe and other backcourt players on the Syracuse basketball team might see an increase in playing time as they kick off their season against New Hampshire on November 6th.
Kyle Cuffe Jr. sets big goals for his time with Syracuse basketball.
Despite having limited playing experience at the collegiate level, Cuffe brings valuable experience from his time with the Kansas Jayhawks, a top team in the country.
Cuffe has expressed that his time with the Jayhawks has prepared him well for his stint with the Orange.
In high school, Kyle Cuffe Jr. shined at Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey. He was highly regarded as a four-star, top-60 national prospect in the 2022 recruiting cycle before he reclassified and joined Kansas in 2021.
During the 2021 recruiting cycle, Cuffe was ranked just outside the top-100 overall by multiple services. He had also attended Syracuse basketball’s Elite Camp in 2019 and was recruited by the Orange.
Despite Westry’s absence, coach Autry’s backcourt for the 2023-24 season remains deep and talented, with five guards, including Cuffe. It remains to be seen how much Cuffe will play, but he has the potential to be a key contributor off the bench.
Earlier this month, Syracuse basketball hosted the Orange Tip-off at the JMA Wireless Dome, as well as Monroe Madness in Rochester, New York. These events included player competitions and scrimmages.
According to announcements from SU Athletics, Cuffe performed well in the 3-point challenges during both the Orange Tip-off and Monroe Madness.
In a recent article by James Szuba of NunesMagician.com, it was revealed that Cuffe’s father, Kyle Cuffe Sr., played for St. John’s from 2000 to 2004. His father’s college career included matchups against Syracuse basketball, including the season when the Orange won their only national championship in 2002-03.
Given his familiarity with Syracuse basketball, it’s no surprise that Kyle Cuffe Jr.’s main goal for the 2023-24 season is to bring the team back to its former glory. He told Szuba, “Basically bring Syracuse back to the top. Back to where they’re supposed to be.”
Well said, Kyle. Orange Nation would love to see that come to fruition.
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