Benny Williams, a junior forward for the Syracuse Orange basketball team, was dismissed from the program on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. He violated team rules multiple times and showed a lack of respect for his coaches and teammates. His dismissal has left many fans and analysts wondering about his future and the impact on the team.
Who is Benny Williams?
Benny Williams is a 20-year-old basketball player from Maryland. He was a five-star recruit in the class of 2021 and chose Syracuse over other offers from Maryland, Georgetown, Miami, and LSU. He was ranked as the No. 31 player in the nation by ESPN and the No. 6 small forward. He was expected to be a key contributor for the Orange and a potential NBA prospect.
Benny Williams’ Dismissal from Syracuse Basketball Team
Reasons for Dismissal
The exact reason for Williams’ dismissal has not been disclosed by the Syracuse basketball program, but it seems that he broke team rules more than once and had a bad attitude. He was suspended for the first three games of the season for violating team rules, but the nature of the violation was not revealed. He returned to the team on November 10, 2024, but did not play well or fit in with the team’s system.
The final straw for Williams may have been his behavior during the Wake Forest game on February 3, 2024. He was seen hitting assistant coach Adrian Autry after being taken out of the game and throwing the ball away in frustration. He was given a technical foul for his actions and did not play for the rest of the game. He also did not join the team huddle or show any support for his teammates.
Impact on Team
Williams’ dismissal has left a big hole in the Syracuse roster, as he was the team’s third-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder. He averaged 5.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game in 18 appearances. He also had the potential to be a versatile defender and a dynamic scorer, as he showed in some games, such as his 15-point performance against Pittsburgh on December 29, 2023.
Without Williams, the Orange will have to rely more on their other forwards, such as Cole Swider, Jimmy Boeheim, and Frank Anselem. They will also have to find more scoring and rebounding from their guards, such as Buddy Boeheim, Joe Girard, and Symir Torrence. The team is currently 12-11 overall and 4-8 in the ACC, and will need to improve their record and performance to have a chance of making the NCAA tournament.
Past Career of Benny Williams
High School Career
Williams attended St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland, where he was a standout player. He averaged 16.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.5 blocks, and 1.9 steals per game as a senior. He led his team to a 24-4 record and the Interstate Athletic Conference championship. He was named the IAC Player of the Year and a first-team All-Met selection by The Washington Post. He also participated in the Iverson Classic, a prestigious all-star game for high school seniors.
College Career
Williams joined Syracuse as a freshman in the 2021-22 season, but did not have a significant role on the team. He played in 28 games, but only averaged 1.9 points and 1.5 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per game. He shot 35.7% from the field, 18.8% from the three-point line, and 50% from the free-throw line. He had a season-high of nine points against Niagara on December 3, 2021.
Williams improved his numbers and playing time as a sophomore in the 2022-23 season. He played in 31 games, starting 18 of them, and averaged 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per game. He shot 42.9% from the field, 28.6% from the three-point line, and 60.9% from the free-throw line. He had a career-high of 18 points against Boston College on January 15, 2023.
Williams was expected to have a breakout season as a junior in the 2023-24 season, but his suspension and dismissal derailed his plans. He played in 18 games, starting 11 of them, and averaged 5.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 17.3 minutes per game. He shot 40% from the field, 20.6% from the three-point line, and 53.8% from the free-throw line. He had a season-high of 15 points against Pittsburgh on December 29, 2023.
Questions and Speculation Surrounding Benny Williams’ Dismissal
Social Media Reactions
Williams’ dismissal has sparked a lot of reactions on social media, both from fans and analysts. Some have expressed disappointment and sadness for Williams, while others have criticized him for wasting his talent and opportunity. Some have also questioned the Syracuse coaching staff and culture, and wondered if they could have handled the situation better. Here are some examples of tweets about Williams’ dismissal:
- “Sad to see Benny Williams go. He had so much potential and could have been a star for Syracuse. Hope he finds his way and gets another chance somewhere else.” – @OrangeFan23
- “Benny Williams is a disgrace to Syracuse basketball. He had no respect for his coaches, teammates, or the game. He deserved to be kicked off the team. Good riddance.” – @CuseHater45
- “What is going on with Syracuse basketball? How do you lose a five-star recruit like Benny Williams? He clearly had some issues, but did the coaches do enough to help him? Seems like a failure on both sides.” – @CollegeHoopsFan
- “Benny Williams is a talented player, but he needs to grow up and mature. He made some bad decisions and paid the price. Hopefully he learns from this and gets another opportunity to play basketball at a high level.” – @HoopsAnalyst
Possible Next Steps for Benny Williams
Williams’ future is uncertain, as he has not made any public statements or announcements since his dismissal. He has several options to consider, such as:
- Entering the NCAA transfer portal and looking for another college program that would accept him and give him a chance to play. He would have to sit out a year before becoming eligible, unless he gets a waiver from the NCAA.
- Declaring for the NBA draft and hoping that a team would take a chance on him based on his potential and upside. He would have to impress scouts and teams in workouts and interviews, and overcome the red flags and questions about his character and attitude.
- Pursuing a professional career overseas and playing in a foreign league that would pay him and allow him to develop his skills and resume. He would have to adapt to a different culture and style of play, and face tough competition and expectations.
- Taking a break from basketball and focusing on his personal life and well-being. He would have to address his issues and problems, and seek help and support from his family and friends. He would also have to decide if he wants to continue playing basketball or pursue other interests and goals.
Conclusion
Benny Williams’ dismissal from the Syracuse basketball team is a sad and unfortunate story of a talented player who could not live up to his potential and expectations. He violated team rules multiple times and showed a lack of respect for his coaches and teammates. His dismissal has left a big hole in the Syracuse roster and a lot of questions and speculation about his future. Williams has several options to consider, but he will have to make some changes and improvements in his life and career. He still has a chance to redeem himself and achieve his dreams, but he will have to work hard and prove himself to everyone.
