Naheem McLeoud Ready for Syracuse Official Visit

The Florida State center transfer discusses the Orange.

Syracuse basketball will host Florida State transfer center Naheem McLeod this weekend for an official visit. The 7-4, 255 pounder has been in touch with the Orange since entering the transfer portal. 

"The first day I entered the portal, Syracuse was the second school to call me," McLeod said. "The coaches there have been there already. They know the system and they said they've been watching me since I was a freshman in high school. They just reached out too late, to the point where I already chose Florida State coming out of high school. They're all coming at me at once, I can't say it's just one coach. When I pick up the phone, it's all of the coaches there. They say they can't wait to get me on campus. Very welcoming there." 

The message from the Syracuse coaches has had a simple theme: Work. 

"As far as I know, it's just to come in and work," McLeod said. "Be comfortable playing with the guys up there now and just be the best version of myself I can be. I am one of the older, mature veterans that would be participating with those guys. It would be a blessing to help out those guys."

Remaining in the ACC would mean playing with players he is familiar as well as against players he has previously played against. 

"It all connects to each other," McLeod said. "I'm used to playing against those guys. If I do play Syracuse, I know how they play, they know how I play. We know what to expect out of each other."

When he arrives in Central New York, he knows exactly what he is looking for in order to determine if Syracuse is the right fit. 

"Just the bond around the guys," McLeod said. "That's what I chose Florida State for coming out of high school. They welcomed me with open arms. The fact that they've already treated me like I'm already there. Just to see if it feels like home. And I love playing at the Dome. I'm actually 1-0 at the Dome. I like that stadium. I think it's really cool." 

McLeod said he has spoken with a bunch of schools since entering the portal and says he is looking to take visits to a two or three other schools after Syracuse. 

At Florida State last season, McLeod appeared in 28 games, starting 11. He averaged 3.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 13 minutes per game. 

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