Syracuse Basketball: Orange doesn’t make cut for Kennedy Chandler

Some bummer news for Syracuse basketball, as elite 2021 point guard Kennedy Chandler hasn’t included the Orange in his top 10.

Syracuse basketball will not secure the talents of 2021 five-star point guard Kennedy Chandler. The 6-foot-1 Chandler, who took an official visit to the ‘Cuse campus last November, revealed his top 10 finalists via Twitter on Friday, and Syracuse, unfortunately, isn’t on this list.

Still in contention are Duke, Florida State, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis, Michigan, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Southern California, and Tennessee. That’s a mighty formidable group, including numerous of the sport’s powerhouse programs, along with several crews from the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Chandler, who attends the Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., traveled to the Hill when the Orange got blasted by Virginia, the defending NCAA champions, in the 2019-20 season opener for the ‘Cuse. Perhaps Syracuse only putting up 34 points in a 14-point setback to the Cavaliers left a sour taste in Chandler’s mouth.

Regardless, I hope that Orange fanatics don’t say anything negative about this young man on social media. He’s doing what’s most appropriate for his collegiate career, and you can’t argue with any of the 10 units that he’s considering.

The only thing that frustrates me is Chandler actually visited the ‘Cuse, but Syracuse subsequently couldn’t remain on his radar. Interesting to note that players are only allowed five official visits, Syracuse was one of those lucky five, but that still wasn’t enough to crack his top-10.

Nationally across the class of 2021, Chandler is universally regarded by analysts as a top-20 prospect, and the bevy of recruiting Web sites peg him as the No. 1 or No. 2 point guard in this class. That’s impressive stuff, and he’s undoubtedly a premier player who Syracuse would have proven lucky from which to receive a commitment.

Chandler has landed more than 30 scholarship offers, according to various recruiting services. At this juncture, it’s not all that clear which team, or teams, are deemed by prognosticators as in the leading spot to obtain him. Even if the Orange stayed in the mix, the ‘Cuse undeniably would have faced a fierce battle in Chandler’s recruitment. Wishing you all the best, Kennedy!