Syracuse, N.Y. — Amid the firestorm of serious ‘Can your team play defense this season?’ questions, Syracuse basketball players were spared the monotony of another basic query and asked the important stuff.
Like, which teammate would you select to help survive a zombie apocalypse?
Reporters Mike Waters, Chris Carlson, Brent Axe and me (Donna Ditota) polled the players during Syracuse’s October 18 Media Day in the Melo Center.
Let’s get right to it.
Chance Westry
Syracuse guard Chance Westry (11) at an exhibition game against Clarion at the JMA Wireless Dome. Oct 26, 2024. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comdennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Who was your favorite player growing up? Michael Jordan
If you had to pick one teammate to select your outfit for the day, who would it be? I’m gonna go with Kyle Cuffe. JJ, too. JJ’s working on the baggy look a little bit.
What is your worst habit? I hate folding my socks. I just put ‘em in a bin and matchmake ‘em.
If you weren’t a basketball player, what job would you have and why? I would love to be an agent. Seeing Rich Paul and a lot of other guys, seeing how they control things behind the scenes, I think I would do a good job behind the scenes at putting players in good situations and negotiating.
If you had to pick one teammate to help you survive a zombie apocalypse, who would that be? I’m definitely going KC. Kyle. That’s my guy.
It’s election season. Which teammate would make the best president? I’ll go Chris (Bell). Because he’s confident in what he does.
Elijah Moore
Syracuse Orange guard Elijah Moore (8) on defense. Syracuse Orange Orange basketball team start their 2024-25 season off with an exhibition against Clarion at the JMA Wireless Dome Saturday Oct 26, 2024. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comdennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Who was your favorite player growing up? Kobe Bryant
If you had to pick one teammate to select your outfit for the day, who would it be? I would either say JC or Donnie, just because JC is from New York and I know Donnie knows a good percentage of fashion.
What’s your worst habit? I would say sometimes I lose myself in basketball. I’ll be here and I’ll lose track of time and what I gotta do.
If you weren’t a basketball player, what job would you have and why? I would try to be in fashion. But if not that, my dad has his own organization. Tri-School Athletic Association in New York City. I think i would just help him out in that and be a part of that.
If you had to pick one teammate to help you survive a zombie apocalypse, who would that be? I would probably say JJ. From a strategic standpoint, knowing that he’s going to be able to keep up with me and know certain things.
It’s election season. Which teammate would make the best president? I’ll probably say Jaquan, my point guard. He makes good decisions, he’s a smart guy and he’s very down-to-earth.
Jyare Davis
Syracuse forward Jyare Davis takes lane jumper in a Syracuse exhibition game against Slippery Rock at the JMA Wireless Dome. Oct. 30, 2024. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comdennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Who was your favorite player growing up? Kobe Bryant
If you had to pick one teammate to select your outfit for the day, who would it be? Well, I hope the guys choose me for this answer. But if I had to pick somebody to choose my outfit, I’d probably choose JJ. Me and JJ have had some conversations about clothes and I think we’d be on the same page.
What’s your worst habit? When I was younger, I used to bite my nails. Trying to get over that.
If you weren’t a basketball player, what job would you have and why? I think I would try to play football. I played football from like 5 years old until 13, when the school I went to didn’t have a football team.
If you had to pick one teammate to help you survive a zombie apocalypse, who would that be? I think I’d choose Petar. He’s a pretty tough kid.
It’s election season. Which teammate would make the best president? I would choose Jaquan Carlos. He’s a good leader, a good point guard.
Petar Majstorovic
Syracuse forward Petar Majstorovic grabs a rebound in the lane in an exhibition game against Clarion at the JMA Wireless Dome. Oct 26, 2024. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comdennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Who was your favorite player growing up? My dad (Petar’s dad, Bosko, played professionally in France). For NBA, I would say Nikola Jokić .
If you had to pick one teammate to select your outfit for the day, who would it be? I would say Jyare or Donnie. They have some nice clothes.
What is your worst habit? I bite my nails.
If you weren’t a basketball player, what job would you have and why? For sports, I would play volleyball. It is one of the most unselfish sports possible. You have to be a team. In real life, I would get into business. Probably real estate or something.
If you had to pick one teammate to help you survive a zombie apocalypse, who would that be? Lucas. He’s someone who is smart and I think could survive.
It’s election season. Which teammate would make the best president? JJ.
Chris Bell
Syracuse forward Chris Bell lines up a 3-point shot in an exhibition game against Clarion at the JMA Wireless Dome. Oct 26, 2024. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comdennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Who was your favorite player growing up? Kevin Durant
If you had to pick one teammate to select your outfit for the day, who would it be? I’d pick Lucas Taylor. He could pick me something decent to wear for sure.
What is your worst habit? I don’t like mornings. I’m not a morning person.
If you weren’t a basketball player, what job would you have and why? Playing baseball.
If you had to pick one teammate to help you survive a zombie apocalypse, who would that be? JJ
It’s election season. Which teammate would make the best president? Me or Jaquan Carlos. He could be my running mate.
Donnie Freeman
Syracuse forward Donnie Freeman takes a 10-footer in an exhibition game against Clarion at the JMA Wireless Dome. Oct 26, 2024. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comdennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Who was your favorite player growing up? Kevin Durant
If you had to pick one teammate to select your outfit for the day, who would it be? We all pretty fly, but I’d say Eddie.
What is your worst habit? I’m a procrastinator and I bite my fingernails.
If you weren’t a basketball player, what job would you have and why? I really like fashion. Something in the fashion world.
If you had to pick one teammate to help you survive a zombie apocalypse, who would that be? Choppa (Elijah Moore). We’d make it work.
It’s election season. Which teammate would make the best president? Probably JJ.
Eddie Lampkin
Syracuse center Eddie Lampkin Jr. looks to pass from the baseline in an exhibition against Clarion at the JMA Wireless Dome. Oct 26, 2024. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comdennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Who was your favorite player growing up? LeBron James
If you had to pick one teammate to select your outfit for the day, who would it be? JC (Jaquan Carlos). We’re together a lot. Me and him got a lot of classes together.
What is your worst habit? Sugary drinks.
If you weren’t a basketball player, what job would you have and why? I want to work for myself. That’s my goal.
If you had to pick one teammate to help you survive a zombie apocalypse, who would that be? I’m not picking Naheem ‘cause he too big. They gonna come after us too fast. (Laughs). I might say JC again ‘cause me and him got so close of a relationship and I can trust him and I know he going to be there every time.
It’s election season. Which teammate would make the best president? I’d say Jyare. He’s very smart. I like the way he talks about certain stuff. He’s the spokesperson on the team.
Jaquan Carlos
Syracuse Orange guard Jaquan Carlos (5) in an exhibition against Clarion at the JMA Wireless Dome. Oct 26, 2024. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comdennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Who was your favorite player growing up? Carmelo Anthony
If you had to pick one teammate to select your outfit for the day, who would it be? Choppa (Elijah Moore). He’s a New York City guy. Dresses in style. I like the way Choppa dresses.
What is your worst habit? I’m always on my phone.
If you weren’t a basketball player, what job would you have and why? I’ve always wanted to do broadcasting. I feel I could be good at that.
If you had to pick one teammate to help you survive a zombie apocalypse, who would that be? I’ll go with Eddie. Yeah. Big guy. Pick the biggest guy.
It’s election season. Which teammate would make the best president? I think it would be JJ. Real, real smart guy. Talented guy. He’s very fair. I think he’ll do a good job at that.
JJ Starling
Syracuse guard J.J. Starling in an exhibition against Clarion at the JMA Wireless Dome. Oct 26, 2024. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comdennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Who was your favorite player growing up? LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
If you had to pick one teammate to select your outfit for the day, who would it be? Probably Eddie or Chance. I feel like they got pretty good fashion. Or Choppa. Yeah. Choppa.
What is your worst habit? Over-thinking.
If you weren’t a basketball player, what job would you have and why? Ooh, I can see myself being like an artist or like going into broadcasting.
If you had to pick one teammate to help you survive a zombie apocalypse, who would that be? Choppa. Just cause that’s like my best friend and we already spend every day together.
It’s election season. Which teammate would make the best president? I would say probably Jaquan Carlos. Number 5. He’s smart and, you know, he’s for the people.
Lucas Taylor
Syracuse guard Lucas Taylor (3) reaches in on (1) Jomo Goings. Syracuse played Slippery Rock in an exhibition game at the JMA Wireless Dome. Oct. 30, 2024. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comdennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Who was your favorite player growing up? Kevin Durant.
If you had to pick one teammate to select your outfit for the day, who would it be? I’d probably say Choppa (Elijah Moore). Choppa probably has the most drip.
What is your worst habit? I’d say video games. It’s something I do for fun. But I’m getting to the age where I should maybe stop playing videos games. Those two or three hours that I play there’s a lot of other things I could be doing.
If you weren’t a basketball player, what job would you have and why? Honestly, I think I’d be a barber. That would be a fun job. I’d be able to talk to people, meet new people every day. Every time I go into the barber shop I always have great conversations with people. Having that would be a fun job to have.
If you had to pick one teammate to help you survive a zombie apocalypse, who would that be? I’d pick Petar to be honest. I think on an island he’d be a good improviser. He’s good in any situation. You can throw him in the fire and he figures things out. He’s strong, fast, carry me, fight, protect me a little bit, hold it down while I run.
It’s election season. Which teammate would make the best president? Jaquan Carlos. He’s the point guard. He runs the show. He runs the team, he tells everyone where to go. That’d be a great person to trust with all the rules and whatnot.
Kyle Cuffe
Syracuse Orange guard Kyle Cuffe Jr. (0) in a game against Clarion Oct. 26, 2024. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comdennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Who was your favorite player growing up? Tracy McGrady.
If you had to pick one teammate to select your outfit for the day, who would it be? Can I say two? Jyare and Chance. Jyare I think dresses the best on the team. Chance has everything that you can think of but can’t put it together. I think I can help him put it together.
What is your worst habit? When I’m sick I don’t do anything. I just lay there. I don’t want to take medicine. I don’t want to do anything. I’m just going to ride it out.
If you weren’t a basketball player, what job would you have and why? Honestly I’m going to do something in NIL. I want to do something with sports and law basically. I want to be able to help people read their contracts so they don’t have to have to worry too much about the legal terms. I’m in communications, but I’m going to get my master’s in that.
If you had to pick one teammate to help you survive a zombie apocalypse, who would that be?Probably Anthony Clayton. I feel like he comes up with ideas all the time on how to get through things. He knows how to maneuver.
It’s election season. Which teammate would make the best president? I would say Anthony Clayton because he looks like Malcolm X. Just looks. We call him Malcolm X all the time.
Naheem McLeod
Syracuse Orange center Naheem McLeod (10) takes a shot at the rim against Clarion at the JMA Wireless Dome. Oct 26, 2024. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comdennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Who was your favorite player growing up? Kobe Bryant.
If you had to pick one teammate to select your outfit for the day, who would it be? Chris Bell. You never know what he’s going to give you. He’s very optimistic. With him being a leader now, he’s got some style to him.
What is your worst habit? Honestly, not talking. I don’t like to talk. I like to listen more than I like to talk.
If you weren’t a basketball player, what job would you have and why? I’d probably be a sports commentator. Still love the game. Love sports. Going out and doing commentary on people doing their jobs is something I look forward to. (Post-Standard: You know you’re going to have to talk for that. McLeod: Yeah. You’re right. Photographer.)
If you had to pick one teammate to help you survive a zombie apocalypse, who would that be? Eddie Lampkin. He has a dawg mentality where it’s him vs. the world.
It’s election season. Which teammate would make the best president? Jaquan Carlos. He’s a very interesting guy. He’s very humble. He likes to give his opinion on things. Him being a presidential leader or nominee would be best for our team.
