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Syracuse center Eddie Lampkin is back in the transfer portal after wrapping up his fifth college basketball season. He’ll be searching for his fourth home in as many years.
Lampkin played in 33 games with the Orange this year, averaging a career-highs in points (11.5 ppg) and rebounds (9.6 rpg). There’s one thing that could potentially hold the star big man back.
He’s currently out of NCAA eligibility. Lampkin has played in nearly 140 contests dating back to the 2020-21 season. He received the benefit of a COVID blanket waiver in Year 1. That allowed him to play for Syracuse last year.
Most believed that would be his last as a college player. He’s now seeking approval for a sixth season.
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Lampkin signed with TCU as a three-star recruit in the class of 2020. He spent three seasons with the Horned Frogs before moving onto Colorado as a senior.
That initial exit was contentious. He and his mother accused former coach Jamie Dixon of abuse and racial mistreatment. He stepped away from the team before the Horned Frogs’ conference tournament in 2022.
“If you all don’t tell the truth of how you have mistreated, disrespected and said racial remarks towards him. We will. Please do not disrespect my son’s name because all we have been is patient with YOU. Handle us with Christian values for once.”
-Vanessa Lampkin
After one year in Boulder, he transferred to Syracuse. Across five seasons, he’s made 119 starts. He does not qualify for a redshirt, having seen action in each of his NCAA campaigns. He’s reportedly pursuing an exemption for his freshman year in which he made 10 appearances.
Eddie Lampkin is applying for an NCAA waiver.
Syracuse.com states that the center is seeking an exemption for Year 1. While he played in 10 games, he made no starts. It may be an uphill battle given he’s already received that COVID waiver for the same season.
The former Syracuse basketball big man is attempting to get a waiver from the NCAA for his freshman season, when he played 10 games at TCU, said a source with understanding of the situation…
Lampkin has played five seasons of college basketball and would appear to be out of eligibility. But he could attempt to appeal his freshman season for medical or other reasons to regain a full fifth year.
It’s not the first time we’ve seen the situation this offseason. South Carolina guard Jamarii Thomas hit the portal without eligibility in search of a new home last week. The Gamecocks believed his time in college was through, leading the program to find a replacement in the backcourt.
The introduction of NIL has allowed players to make money at the college level. As a result, many are doing anything in their power to extend their careers with NCAA approval. Eddie Lampkin, who’s said to have cashed in on over $100,000 in name, image, and likeness deals, is the latest case.
On top of the accusations that led to his early exit from TCU, he’s dealt with ankle and back injuries, though neither kept him off the court for extended periods of time. His fate is now in the hands of the NCAA. Waiver approval would allow him to return for one final season at a destination yet to be determined.