A few days after the Syracuse basketball team missed out on landing Columbia graduate transfer Grant Mullins, the Orange bounced right back and landed Colorado State point guard John Gillon. Last season Gillon, who started his career at Arkansas-Little Rock before transferring to play two seasons for the Rams, averaged 13.2 points and 3.8 assists.
Guess I bleed orange now 🍊🍊🍊 #cusenation pic.twitter.com/F6EvC50nJN
— John Gillon (@John_Gillon1) May 1, 2016
Gillon, a 6-foot guard originally from Houston, appeared in 34 games, starting 26 for Colorado State last year, and led the Rams in both assists and steals. He also knocked down 60 three pointers at a clip of 33.3%, though that number was higher in his first two seasons of college ball (in which he shot just over 39% in both years).
With Malachi Richardson’s status still in question, particularly after he was invited to the NBA Draft Combine – which begins in about a week and a half – Syracuse has a serious depth issue at guard. Gillon helps solve that problem. If Richardson stays in the draft, the Orange will be able to go with a three man rotation of Gillon, Frank Howard, and Tyus Battle. If Richardson comes back, it’ll make Syracuse both talented and fairly deep at the two guard positions.
Syracuse could still look to add another guard, though the need isn’t quite as high anymore with Gillon on board. Michigan grad transfer Spike Albrecht is a possibility, as is high school senior Mike Bibby, Jr., who has received recent interest from the Orange as a late class of 2016 addition.
The Orange will also be looking to close the deal with Taurean Thompson, the talented 6-foot-10 forward who also visited campus this weekend but recently received a Michigan State offer and is also strongly considering a number of other schools, including Seton Hall, to help round out the roster. Thompson or another late find at forward would be huge, particularly now that Cheickna Dembele is off the board after signing with UNLV.
