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  • Former Villanova Forward Cole Swider Chooses Syracuse Orange Men's Basketball

Former Villanova Forward Cole Swider Chooses Syracuse Orange Men's Basketball

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Basketball

Former Villanova forward Cole Swider has signed a financial aid agreement with Syracuse and intends to join the men's basketball program after playing three seasons with the Wildcats.

Swider, a 6-9, 225, junior, appeared in 77 games during three seasons at Villanova. He started 17 of those contests. Swider comes to Syracuse with two years of eligibility remaining.

This past season, Swider played in 25 games, starting two of them. He averaged 5.7 points and 3.1 rebounds in 18.8 minutes of playing time. Swider converted 35-of-87 (.402) 3-point attempts. Villanova finished the season 18-7 overall and 11-4 in the BIG EAST Conference. The Wildcats won NCAA Tournament games with Winthrop and North Texas before losing to Baylor in the Sweet 16.

Swider started 15 games as a sophomore for the Wildcats' 2019-2020 campaign. He averaged 6.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and knocked-down 38-of108 (.352) 3-point shots. Swider scored a career-high 26 points and hit six three-pointers in a victory against Middle Tennessee. Villanova finished the season 24-7 and tied for first in the BIG EAST with a conference record of 13-5.

During his freshman campaign, Swider saw action in 21 contests. He averaged 3.5 points and 1.2 rebounds per outing. Swider missed 12 games with a hand injury. Villanova was 26-10 overall, BIG EAST Champion, and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Swider had a stellar high school career for the St. Andrew's School (R.I.). He led the Saints to a 21-9 record and a NEPSAC Class AA semifinal appearance during his sophomore season. As a junior, he scored 26.5 points per game and powered St. Andrew's to a 20-8 finish. In his final year in Barrington, the Saints posted a 23-6 record.

He was a member of the USA Junior National Team at the 2018 Nike Hoop Summit and tallied 10 points to pair with five boards. Swider had 17 points in the Jordan Brand Classic Game after his senior season. ESPN ranked Swider as the 34th best player in the class of 2018.

He was named All-New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) First Team in 2017 and 2018 and was a second-team selection in 2016.