Syracuse basketball has its collective eye on several other 2021 prospects following the Benny Williams commitment.
Syracuse basketball landed its inaugural pledge in the Orange’s 2021 recruiting cycle when top-60 player Benny Williams committed to the ‘Cuse on June 4.
As it currently stands, assuming there are no defections from the program after the 2020-21 campaign, Syracuse would have 10 guys on scholarship entering the following term, with four-star small forward Williams arriving on the Hill as a newbie to give the Orange 11 scholarship players.
That, in turn, would leave the ‘Cuse with two additional scholarships from which to work as it pertains to its 2021 class. Syracuse coaches are targeting a handful of talented prospects who could potentially don an Orange uniform with Williams in the 2021 recruiting cycle.
Since big men Marek Dolezaj and Bourama Sidibe are expected to graduate after 2020-21, it makes sense for the ‘Cuse coaching staff to take a hard look at power forwards and centers.
Let’s examine which Syracuse basketball 2021 prospects could link up with Benny Williams.
That brings us to four-star center Micawber Etienne, a top-60 player in the 2021 class. About two weeks ago, Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim and his assistants held a virtual meeting with Etienne, who holds a slew of other offers, including from squads like Kansas, Louisville, Ohio State, Connecticut, Miami, Georgetown and Seton Hall.
There is speculation that Etienne could reclassify to the 2020 class. If he does that, it’s logical to assume that the Orange is out for him, because 2020 four-star center Frank Anselem committed to the ‘Cuse last week. However, if Etienne stays in the 2021 class, he will prove one of the top targets for Syracuse.
Four-star center Franck Kepnang, a top-30 prospect, is from the Westtown School in West Chester, Pa., which by the way, current Orange big man John Bol Ajak also attended. Kepnang holds a bunch of offers, including some recent ones from the likes of Kansas, Miami, Oregon and Auburn.
The ‘Cuse offered two four-star small forwards, Quincy Allen from the Maret School in Washington, D.C., and John Camden with Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor, Pa., each more than a year ago. Given that Allen and Camden both play the same position as Williams, Syracuse may have a difficult time securing either of them.
A trio of power forwards in contention are Arthur Kaluma, Ashton Smith and Samson Johnson, all of whom received offers from the Orange in April.
Kaluma, out of Dream City Christian School in Glendale, Ariz., is a four-star, top-60 prospect. Smith, who goes to Nimitz High School in Houston, and Johnson, from The Patrick School in Hillside, N.J., are presently unranked by 247Sports.
All in all, the ‘Cuse has multiple intriguing players who could possibly boost an already exciting 2021 class.