ESPN.com released its updated ratings for 2021 and 2022 recruits, and there are a bunch of Syracuse basketball connections to discuss.
When it comes to Syracuse basketball, recruiting rankings should always get taken with the proverbial grain of salt, in my humble opinion.
However, these ratings are something to keep in mind. And ESPN.com has unveiled its latest rankings for the 2021 and 2022 recruiting cycles, with numerous Orange tie-ins to share.
First and foremost, new ‘Cuse commit Benny Williams checks in at No. 50 in the 2021 ESPN 100. Williams is a four-star small forward in the 2021 class and pledged his services to Syracuse last week.
Since we’re on the topic of actual Orange commits, five-star point guard Dior Johnson is No. 12 in the 2022 ESPN 60. Johnson, who committed to the ‘Cuse a few months ago, is slotted a bit higher by the other primary recruiting Web sites. He had this retort on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/3Diorjohnson/status/1270203661688291328
Reverting back to the 2021 class, four-star center Micawber Etienne is perhaps the top target for Syracuse coaches in that recruiting cycle, following the Williams commitment. Etienne is No. 64 at ESPN.com.
Another 2021 four-star center, Franck Kepnang, is rated No. 21. Quincy Allen, who like Williams is a 2021 four-star small forward, places at No. 48.
Finally in the 2021 class, a pair of four-star power forwards, Arthur Kaluma and Samson Johnson, are coming in at No. 38 and No. 71, respectively.
Syracuse basketball is honing in on multiple highly rated prospects who could join Dior Johnson in the 2022 class.
Switching back to the 2022 recruiting cycle, there are a handful of Orange targets in ESPN.com’s top 60. Five-star shooting guard Zion Cruz, who is teaming up with Johnson at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., is No. 17.
Four-star wing Chance Westry is No. 40, four-star center Donovan Clingan is No. 49, and Syracuse-area product J.J. Starling, a four-star shooting guard, is No. 57.
To reiterate, these sorts of rankings often get too much attention, but at the same time, it’s encouraging to see that ‘Cuse coaches are focused on several high-school players who are among the best across the country.