Looking ahead to beyond the 2025-26 season, the Syracuse Orange appear to be undergoing an effort to get back one of its starting senior guards for next year.
During media availability on Wednesday, head coach Felisha Legette-Jack said guard Dominique Darius “could possibly get” another year of eligibility.
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Darius, who has started in all 27 of her appearances in her first year with the Orange, is currently having the best season of her collegiate career. She’s averaging 13.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals in 26.1 minutes per game for Syracuse. As of Wednesday, she ranks first on the team in assists, third in scoring and steals and fourth in minutes per game.
“We’re fighting for that right now and I’m hopeful we’re going to get her,” Legette-Jack told reporters during media availability.
Syracuse landed Darius, the daughter of former Syracuse All-American football player Donovin Darius, as a transfer during the team’s most recent offseason.
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Prior to her time with the Orange, she played three years with UCLA. She suited up for 16 games in 2020-21 and 27 in 2021-22.
However, she suited up in just six games (10.7 MPG) with the Bruins in her third year there. After her tenure there ended, she played 19 games in a reserve role for USC in 2023-24 before joining the Orange.
Legette-Jack in her media remarks did not outright say that is the season Darius and the Orange are hoping to get back. That said, Legette-Jack noted that their compliance person is working with the NCAA and “asking people to communicate what they thought of her when she was at her previous schools.”
This is certainly an interesting storyline to keep an eye on, especially in the broader scope of athletes in women’s basketball and other sports vying to get extra time on the court or field. (Editor’s note: unlike football, basketball does not allow athletes to redshirt after they make an appearance)
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Specifically for Syracuse, Darius could be a key piece for the 2026-27 team, if she’s able to come back.
Syracuse’s other starting guard, Laila Phelia, will be out of eligibility beyond this year. The Orange’s other guards currently on roster include juniors Sophie Burrows and Angelica Velez, sophomores Olivia Schmitt and Madeline Potts and freshman Camdyn Nelson.
“I think she’s doing all the steps that she needs to take,” Legette-Jack said. “We’ll see how it all comes out… it’s a long process and the process is worth it.”
