Auburn basketball transfer sends strong message on Syracuse coach: I ‘believe in’ what’s being built

Former Auburn basketball guard Chance Westry, who announced his decision to transfer to Syracuse on April 17, sent a strong message on his new head coach, first-year Orange head man Adrian Autry — pledging support for what is being built in Central New York.

“I believe in what Coach Autry is building,” Westry said (h/t ESPN). “He and his staff sold me on their level of commitment to helping me develop into the player I want to be. He knows that I’m coming in ready to work and hopefully help us get to the tournament and make a run.”

Westry appeared in 11 games for Auburn basketball during the 2022-23 season but only played double-digit minutes in five of them. All five of those appearances were in non-conference play. Westry’s career-high on the Plains was eight points against Colgate, which is coincidentally an hour away from University Hill.

Auburn basketball transfer Chance Westry outlines role he wants with Syracuse

Westry was seemingly brazen in his first comments post-Syracuse transfer, outlining the exact role he’ll want under Autry in his first season as a head coach in his 17-year coaching career.

“I’m prepared to take on any role that he and the staff feel will help put us in a position to win,” Westry prefaced before saying, “That being said, I feel like I’m most effective with the ball in my hands and with the freedom to create for others as well as myself. I pride myself on being a guy who makes his teammates better.”

Westry did say, though, that it was something that was previously discussed in Autry during his recruitment.

“Coach Autry and I discussed that a lot during my recruitment process,” Westry said. “He let me know that he has trust in me as a lead guard and that I’ll have opportunities to do what I feel like I do best.”