JJ Starling has a great jump shot.
But for some reason, his free throw stroke looks nothing like it.
It's a confusing reality for the Syracuse Orange, and one that might put a cap on how good SU can be this season.
Starling is Syracuse's most gifted offensive player. He scored nearly 18 points per game a season ago, and after a first-game injury this season, he's started to find his mojo again in Vegas.
But when Starling goes to the line, everything changes.
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He goes from a smooth pull-up jumper to a hitch-laden shot that misses a ton.
This is what it looks like:
This free throw from JJ Starling 😬 pic.twitter.com/NoRFAaXCDh
— Noah Smith (@NoahSmithSports) November 19, 2025
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Starling isn't the only Syracuse player who has struggled at the foul line this season.
But given that Starling has the ball in his hands so often and attacks the rim so frequently, this is the most consequential foul shot on the team.
A season ago, Starling shot 68.5% from the line.
Entering Wednesday's game against Iowa State, Starling had made just 33% of his freebies in a small sample size.
It's not something anyone in Syracuse wants to see. Starling is a Baldwinsville native who came back home after starting his career at Notre Dame, and he's such a good player everywhere else on the floor.
But somehow, SU has to figure out what to do with Starling at the foul line. Because this isn't working.
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