Syracuse Lands Class of 2027 Sharpshooter Who Beat a Heart Defect
Syracuse, N.Y. – Jack Donahue, a 6-foot-8 forward in the Class of 2027, has committed to playing basketball for Syracuse University. The Albany native is a knock-down perimeter shooter who didn’t just overcome tough competition – he overcame a heart defect that required a 5 1/2 hour surgery.
SU coach Gerry McNamara first offered Donahue a scholarship when McNamara was at Siena. In June 2026, he extended another offer as Syracuse’s head coach. Donahue took an unofficial visit to the Syracuse campus a few weeks ago and made his decision about a month later.
“When he got to Syracuse, it took some time before he offered me,” Donahue said, “but I was never worried that he wasn’t. I knew it was coming if my play matched the level.”
A Heart Defect That Almost Stopped Him
In June 2025, doctors in New York performed emergency surgery to repair an anomalous right coronary artery. They told Donahue that only 75% of his blood was reaching his body.
“Basically, one of my arteries when I was born was in the wrong spot,” Donahue said. “They saw that it was kinked by my muscles so they had to go in and put it into the correct spot.”
Donahue spent five days in the hospital. McNamara FaceTimed every day to check on him. That attention cemented a relationship that deepened over the months that followed.
“I was kind of ahead of schedule,” Donahue said. “Instead of 12 weeks, which is the normal protocol, I finished in eight weeks.”
He was back on the court at The Newman School in Boston by November 2025.
Back to 100% and Better Than Ever
“I was breathing better, I was running faster. It just felt like a different level of play,” Donahue said.
Donahue has worked for about five years with Albany-based trainer Steve Dagostino, who trains USA Basketball athletes and NBA players. Dagostino calls Donahue “one of the best shooters in that Class of 2027.”
“You’re not going to be able to leave Jack,” Dagostino said. “His gravity is going to force the defense to have to really guard him and that opens up space for other guys.”
Dagostino noted that Donahue has grown from 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-8 and his body is now filling out. He believes Donahue’s best days are ahead of him.
“It’s super-smart on Syracuse’s part to get a kid in who has all the tools to make shots in the ACC and then develop him,” Dagostino said.
Why He Chose Syracuse
Donahue started his high school career at CBA Albany and will head to The Newman School for a second season. He played this summer for the NJ Shoreshots in the Under Armour grassroots league.
He liked the Syracuse campus and athletic facilities when he visited in June. But it was his relationship with McNamara that sealed the deal.
“The relationship we built on the court and off the court is special,” Donahue said.
This is a kid who refused to let a heart defect stop him. He fought back, got stronger, and earned his shot at the big time. That’s the American spirit.