The former Syracuse forward is getting another shot in the pros.
One Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team alum is getting another crack at trying to solidify his spot in the NBA.
Cole Swider, who had a career year with the Orange in his lone season with the program, is signing a 10-day contract with the Toronto Raptors, the team announced Wednesday.
He saw his first action with the Raptors last night in a 116-86 win over Brooklyn. Swider played 20 minutes and scored 7 points on 3-7 shooting (1-4 from 3) with 3 rebounds and 1 steal. There’s also an interesting Syracuse connection with his Raptors number:
Cole Swider (@coleswider21) will wear No. 12 for the #Raptors. Number last worn by Oshae Brissett in 2020. #NBA pic.twitter.com/OIniAZ5R5F
— Etienne Catalan (@EtienneCatalan) March 26, 2025
Swider was averaging 21 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in over 34 minutes per game this season, playing in 31 total Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games for the Motor City Cruise and South Bay Lakers. He’s also shooting over 48% from the field and 44% from three in the NBA G League, with that efficiency translating to 19 games with at least 20 points.
Most of Swider’s NBA playing career to date has been in the G League. After going undrafted following the 2021-22 collegiate season, Swider has played in 27 games combined since for the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons.
Prior to the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, Swider signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with the Indiana Pacers, but was waived on October 18. A day later, he inked a two-way deal with Detroit. He was released by the Pistons in January.
Swider’s new deal will run through Toronto’s next six games, lasting until April 4.
The Raptors entered this week with a 24-46 record, just the 11th-best in the Eastern Conference and at least six games out of last Play-In Tournament spot as of Wednesday. Considering the current outlook of the team for this season, the Raptors will be looking to maximize their lost year and finding some diamonds in the rough to be suitable long-term contributors for next season. Swider will have a chance to use this opportunity to find a home in the NBA, either with Toronto or elsewhere.
To date, Swider has averaged 1.9 points, 0.6 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 5.2 minutes per game in his NBA career.