<p>SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse forward Marek Dolezaj is not returning to the Orange for a final season and will seek to play professionally, he announced Wednesday on social media.</p>
<p>“Four years ago, I could have never imagined where I would be right now," Dolezaj wrote in <a href="https://twitter.com/MarekDolezaj/status/1379873985568124929?s=20"> a post on Twitter</a>. "These were some of the best years of my life and I want to thank Coach Boeheim, Coach Red (Autry), the entire staff, my teammates, and the best fans in basketball for believing in me from the start. I look forward to pursuing the next chapter of my life by playing professional basketball and will be forever Orange.”</p>
<p>Dolezaj had one year of college eligibility remaining due to the coronavirus pandemic. </p>
<p>The 6-foot-10, rail-thin native of Slovakia played in 131 games for the Orange and started 83 times over four years, becoming a mainstay in the starting lineup the past two seasons. He averaged 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds as a junior and 9.8 points and 5.1 rebounds this past season, slowed by a broken finger which limited his effectiveness at the end of the season.</p>
<p>Dolezaj finishes his Syracuse career with 960 points and 649 rebounds. </p>
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