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Syracuse Basketball Recruiting: Dolezaj Commits To The ‘Cuse

By Neil Adler

Dec 10, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange head coach Jim Boeheim reacts to a play against the Boston University Terriers during the first half at the Carrier Dome. The Orange won 99-77. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange head coach Jim Boeheim reacts to a play against the Boston University Terriers during the first half at the Carrier Dome. The Orange won 99-77. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Syracuse basketball squad has landed a recruiting boost, with Slovakian forward Marek Dolezaj committing to its 2017 class.

The SU hoops roster is receiving some finishing touches to its class for this fall. Marek Dolezaj has signed a national letter of intent to suit up for the Orange in the 2017-18 campaign, according to an announcement from head coach Jim Boeheim posted on cuse.com.

The 6-9 forward from Bratislava, Slovakia, recently checked out the Central New York campus. This represented his sole official visit. Dolezaj reportedly had interest from several other programs, including Vanderbilt.

What Recruiters Say about Dolezaj:

There’s not a ton of details available online about him. However, here’s what I can tell you: Dolezaj is rated as a four-star prospect by both 247Sports and Scout.com. The 247Sports Composite lists him 107th overall, 24th at small forward and the No. 1 recruit in Slovakia.Meanwhile, 247Sports ranks Dolezaj 67th as a whole, 20th at his position and also first in Slovakia. He wears #31 in some of the highlights below.

According to the Cuse.com press release, Dolezaj played for MBK Karlovka, averaging about 10 points and four boards a contest over this past season.

Cuse.com also notes his international experience. Citing Fiba.com, the announcement says that Dolezaj generated roughly 13 points, nine rebounds and two dimes per game, as Slovakia finished third in the 2016 FIBA Under-18 European Championship.

An Updated Look at the 2017 Syracuse Recruiting Class:

Dolezaj becomes the fourth incoming freshman that will join the ‘Cuse crew for 2017-18. The others are point/combo guard Howard Washington, forward Oshae Brissett and power forward/center Bourama Sidibe. Additionally, East Carolina guard Elijah Hughes has decided to transfer to Syracuse. After he sits out one year, Hughes will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

I recognize that Boeheim & Co. missed out on a bevy of top-flight targets during this recruiting cycle. And fans love to complain about this on social media. But, our 2017 class is not shabby at all. Yeah, Quade Green picked Kentucky. Jordan Tucker spurned us for Duke. Whatever.

Dolezaj is four stars. So are Brissett, who is the premier high-school stud in Canada, and Sidibe. Washington gets three or four stars.

At this juncture, with Dolezaj in tow, the 247Sports Composite places the Orange’s 2017 class at 37th nationally, and seventh in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Not amazing, but not terrible either.

What’s more, I’d like to believe that our 2017 prospects are probably sticking around for a handful of terms. Boeheim and his staff have time to develop and groom them. Loyalty is big in my book.

We’re down to one scholarship left for 2017-18. My bet is that it will go to either guard Geno Thorpe, a graduate transfer from South Florida who is apparently considering SU and Pittsburgh. Or 2018 four-star point guard Eric Ayala, who is weighing whether to reclassify to 2017.

Despite a disappointing 2016-17 stanza, the future outlook for Syracuse seems bright, in my humble opinion. Welcome to ‘Cuse Nation, Marek!

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