Syracuse Recruiting: Big Weekend at USA Basketball Camp

This past weekend, 57 high school basketball players descended upon Colorado Springs for the USA Basketball Junior National Team minicamp. Among those invited were a large number of potential prospects for Syracuse recruiting, as well as Tyus Battle, who has already committed to SU. Battle is returning after a 15 month absence from competitive play while he rehabilitated from an ankle injury and a stress fracture in his foot.

Aside from Battle, there are a number of other Syracuse recruiting targets that were invited. These included Mohamed Bamba, Michael Porter Jr., Trevon Duval, Kevin Knox, and 2018 prospect Cameron Reddish.

This group put on a two day exhibition and there were definitely some standout players. One of the best and biggest rising stars has to be Mohamed Bamba. Bamba has come on the scene in a hurry, as he is now almost a universal top five prospect in 2017. Just ten months ago he wasn’t even rated. That’s how good he’s been.

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He continued that dominance over the weekend, playing outstanding on both offense and defense. He showed how great his conditioning is by repeatedly racing down the floor for fast break baskets. He also showed his dominance around the rim, slamming home some dunks with authority and doing an excellent job on the offensive and defensive glass. He was even a menace on the defensive end, blocking and altering shots as well as protecting the rim and the paint.

It’s certainly easier for him to do it with his ridiculously huge 7’8″ wingspan. Seriously, his wingspan is considerably wider than Shaq is tall. That’s impressive.

Syracuse basketball has been pursuing Bamba for quite a while now. They offered him a scholarship back in April, but have been watching him develop far longer. It would come at a perfect time for SU, as they will be without a center most likely in 2017. Coleman graduates next year (if he stays for it), as does Obokoh. Obokoh would have another year, but he apparently lost a year of eligibility due to being placed in the wrong grade in high school. And surprise, surprise, it was another student of African descent that fell throught the NCAA’s cracks (haven’t I written this story before?).

So basically, we could really use Bamba at Syracuse. He’s big, he’s athletic, he’s got a good offensive and defensive game, and he looks like the real deal.

The other class of 2017 player who had a solid weekend was Michael Porter Jr. Michael is a 6’9 small forward from Father Tolton Catholic High School in Missouri. He’s also one of the best high school basketball players I’ve seen on film in a very long time.

He’s silky smooth whenever he’s on the court. He’s long and lean, while also incredibly athletic and quick. He’s got some pretty incredible hops too. He put on a show this past weekend at the minicamp, especially day 2, scoring at will from both the inside and outside. It seemed like he could get open whenever he felt like it. He’s put a lot of time into dribbling and shooting drills, and it’s paid off. His shot is pure and smooth and his drives to the hoop are in complete control.

Porter narrowed his list down to 10 schools this past summer, and Syracuse is still on the list. I think he would be a perfect fit at Syracuse as the “next Carmelo”. He’s got similar and game and has an incredible amount of potential. I’d love to see him suit up for Syracuse in a couple years.

Though Tyus Battle was invited, he was still unable to play as he continues to recover, but he has received some recent praise. USA Today did a profile on Battle, in which they complimented his wide array of offensive skills. Hopefully we will get to see him in action soon at his new high school, St. Joseph’s in New Jersey.

Those were the main takeaways from the weekend. Now we just have to hope and pray Syracuse can land one (or both) of these phenoms. Don’t forget, 2017 will be Boeheim’s swan song. Wouldn’t it be a great way for him to go out with a top recruiting class and maybe even a second national championship? I mean, what better way to stick it to the NCAA than for him to walk away with a title after all the sanctions. That would be the ultimate mic drop.

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