Syracuse will have its leading scorer and rebounder back for the team’s first season in the ACC.
C.J. Fair will return to Syracuse for senior season
Syracuse will have one of its key pieces back next year as the Orange prepare for their first season in the ACC.
USA TODAY Sports
C.J. Fair announced on Wednesday that he will return to school for his senior season, giving a team that made the Final Four last year another shot at a title in 2013-14.
For more on the story, visit Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician
Fair averaged 14.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game and scored 22 in the Orange’s National Semifinal loss to Michigan in Atlanta.
He said the decision was tough and that he fielded advice from those around him, but ultimately the decision was his.
“I appreciated everybody that gave me advice, but there was a lot of mixed feelings from a lot of different people,” Fair told ESPN.com. “I just had to think for myself what was best for me.”
One factor that likely made the forward want to come back is that he isn’t considered a lock to be picked in the first round of the NBA Draft. Knowing he could spend another year refining his game and moving up the draft board made a difference in his decision to postpone his dream. Fair said he could improve his ball handling and will work on becoming a better all-around player next year.
Fair's return is welcome news for Syracuse fans, after they learned a couple weeks ago that Michael Carter-Williams would make the jump to the NBA. The Orange will also lose James Southerland and Brandon Triche to graduation.
More in College Basketball:
See More:
