In early March, head coach Adrian Autry expressed confidence that Syracuse basketball would be better positioned in this offseason’s transfer portal than it was a year ago — largely thanks to the recruiting skills of general manager Alex Kline.
Another key reason for this improved outlook likely comes down to Syracuse’s growing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) resources. Although exact figures haven’t been made public, there’s a general sense that the Orange’s NIL budget for the 2025–26 season is stronger than it was last year.
Supporting that idea, Syracuse.com’s Mike Waters — a Hall of Fame reporter — recently spoke with Autry in a subscriber-only article about the current state of Syracuse basketball and NIL. While full details remain behind a paywall, Autry made it clear that he believes the program is highly competitive in the NIL space, both in attracting transfers and retaining players, as well as at the high school recruiting level.
As the Orange look to return to the NCAA Tournament after a four-year absence, they currently sit at the NCAA’s scholarship limit of 13 players. That number could rise to 15 if the House v. NCAA settlement is finalized.
The 2025–26 roster includes key returners J.J. Starling (guard) and Donnie Freeman (power forward), along with six incoming transfers and five freshmen. According to 247Sports, Syracuse’s recruiting class ranks 10th nationally among high school prospects, 33rd via the transfer portal, and 18th overall.
While Syracuse hasn’t released its NIL figures, the caliber of returning and incoming players — such as four-star recruits Kiyan Anthony and Sadiq White Jr., plus transfers Naithan George (Georgia Tech) and Nate Kingz (Oregon State) — suggests that the NIL infrastructure is in solid shape.
The program is also expected to participate in a major NIL-centric event in Las Vegas later this year. If the House settlement is approved, SU Athletics has pledged to allocate the full $20.5 million cap in athlete revenue-sharing for 2025–26.
In addition, Syracuse launched a three-year, $50 million fundraising campaign focused on player recruitment and retention — a clear sign the university is investing in long-term NIL competitiveness across all sports.
Still, the Orange face stiff competition. A recent 247Sports report stated that North Carolina has over $14 million in NIL funding for next season — an enormous figure. While Syracuse likely isn’t operating at that level, it’s worth noting that UNC is a long-established blue-blood program, making a direct comparison somewhat unrealistic.
At the end of the day, it’s not just about how big the NIL budget is — it’s about whether Syracuse can translate its growing resources into results on the court. That’s the real test in 2025–26.
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