Former Syracuse Orange men’s basketball player Quadir Copeland has transferred to McNeese State, according to multiple reports. Joe Tipton of On3 was first to break the news.
Copeland, who played both guard and forward for Syracuse this past season, averaged 9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He will have two years of college eligibility remaining.
McNeese is fresh off his third all-time NCAA Tournament appearance after winning 30 games in his first season under Will Wade. The Cowboys bowed out to Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament First Round. Wade, who was dismissed from LSU in 2022 for offering prospective players impermissible recruiting benefits, will look to replace Cowboys leading scorer Shahada Wells in the backcourt. Copeland will transfer in at McNeese with St. Louis transfer guard Sincere Parker and Louisiana transfer forward Joe Charles.
Copeland came off the bench for Syracuse this past season and consistently provided a spark when the team needed it. He won over Syracuse fans with his spirited play and devil-may-care approach on the court, but also his charisma off the court. He was responsible for two game-winning buckets this season — a true buzzer-beating three at home against Miami and a ruled goaltend versus Louisville that proved to be the final basket of the game.
Copeland was part of Jim Boeheim’s final recruiting class at Syracuse, a six-member class that elected to return for a second season in Adrian Autry’s inaugural head coaching campaign. Five of those six players have moved on from the Orange this offseason.
