Syracuse, N.Y. – Luke Fennell announced his decision to play basketball at Syracuse University last October.
In the seven months since then, Fennell split the 2024-25 season between playing for Victoria in Australia’s Under-20 league and at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Canberra, located about seven hours of his family’s home in Melbourne.
But even though he was on the other side of the globe, Fennell kept close tabs on the Orange.
“I followed the whole season and watched a lot of games,’’ Fennell said in a recent interview over Zoom. “I couldn’t catch every single one, but they had most of the games on there. I watched the ACC tournament.’’
Despite having never been to Syracuse or met any of his future SU teammates, Fennell still felt the disappointment of the Orange’s 14-19 record during the 2024-25 season.
“Watching those games, it just fired me up even more to get us where we need to be next year,’’ Fennell said.
Fennell is part of SU’s five-player freshman class. He will join 2025 recruits Sadiq White, Kiyan Anthony, Aaron Womack and Tiefing Diawara on the Orange’s roster.
Luke Fennell takes a shot while playing for Australia during the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifier match between Australia Boomers and Thailand at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Gippsland, Australia.
(Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)Getty Images
At 6-foot-6 and 187 pounds, Fennell brings size to the guard position. He possesses a jump shot with textbook form and a feel for the game fitting someone who has played at the highest levels of international basketball for Australia over the past three years.
While watching Syracuse from afar, Fennell played for both Victoria and the Centre of Excellence.
In seven games in the country’s Under-20 league, Fennell averaged 15.7 points per game for Victoria. He made 21 of his 55 attempts (38.2%) from the 3-point line.
In nine games playing for Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence, he posted 13.1 points per game. His 3-point shooting remained consistent; 39.5% on 22-for-53 shooting.
“I’ve just been really working hard,’’ said Fennell, “trying to get myself right for the next step, which is Syracuse.’’
Before coming to Syracuse later this summer, Fennell will represent Australia in the FIBA Under-19 World Cup, which will be held June 28 to July 6 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Fennell is familiar with the international stage having played for Australia in last summer’s Albert Schweitzer Games in Germany and also playing on the country’s team that won the 2024 Asia Cup to secure a berth in this summer’s World Cup.
“This is the biggest event of my life personally,’’ Fennell said of the World Cup. “For the last three years, ever since I started at the Centre of Excellence, I’ve been looking forward and prepping for this World Cup. Making that team was surreal. I had the biggest smile and a lot of weight off my shoulders, but now it’s time to work.’’
Whenever Australia’s run in the World Cup ends, Fennell said he will head straight to Syracuse.
When he arrives in Syracuse, Fennell will find an Orange team that looks vastly different from the one he watched on television this past season.
Syracuse returns just two players off last year’s squad – veteran guard JJ Starling and sophomore Donnie Freeman. Fennell said he was excited to see Starling and Freeman remain with the Orange.
“They’re two elite guys,’’ he said. “Donnie Freeman is a genuine NBA prospect and the same with JJ. JJ is one of the smoothest and efficient bucket-getters that I’ve seen in college. I can’t wait to see what I can do alongside them.’’
Over the course of the past year, Fennell’s main conduit to the Orange basketball program has been SU general manager Alex Kline. With SU coach Adrian Autry and his assistant coaches busy with the team during the 2024-25 season, Fennell and Kline communicated via text message almost daily.
“He did a really good job of trying to figure out who I am,’’ Fennell said. “He was just trying to figure out what I need and what works best for me. And then, I guess, just gauging my mindset and how I’m ready and willing to attack the next season.
“I think me, him and Coach Red (Autry) are all on the same page of where we want to be and where we’re going to get to.’’