Syracuse Basketball: Zion Cruz, Dior Johnson prep combo looks less likely

Syracuse basketball 2022 commit Dior Johnson recently left Oak Hill, and Orange 2022 target Zion Cruz is leaving that prep school.

Recently, Syracuse basketball 2022 high-priority target Zion Cruz spoke with enthusiasm about the prospect of playing alongside Orange 2022 commit Dior Johnson at the Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va.

Now, unfortunately, it seems that such a possibility is looking less and less likely. As we recently reported, five-star point guard Johnson has left the Oak Hill Academy, and it’s unclear if he will return, although Johnson hasn’t withdrawn from the prep school.

Moreover, Jacob Polacheck of Zagsblog has written an article that says five-star combo guard Cruz plans to transfer from the Oak Hill Academy to The Patrick School in Hillside, N.J.

As a result of Cruz’s decision to transfer from the Oak Hill Academy, I can’t envision a scenario where he and Johnson will suit up together in high school, unless of course Johnson elects to move to The Patrick School as well.

Syracuse basketball 2022 target Zion Cruz is transferring out of Oak Hill, a prep school that Orange 2022 commit Dior Johnson recently left.

Johnson has indicated in media reports that he left the Oak Hill Academy to get a second medical opinion and rehab in his hometown as it pertains to a stress fracture in his foot.

Meanwhile, the head coach at the Oak Hill Academy, Steve Smith, has said in news pieces that he’s unsure if Johnson will come back to the prep school.

Naturally, some Syracuse basketball fans are concerned about Johnson’s injury, as well as the ambiguous status of him playing for the Oak Hill Academy in the upcoming campaign.

Plus, Johnson has maintained since he committed to the ‘Cuse this past February that he anticipates bringing other elite high-school prospects with him to the Hill.

Cruz figured to be at the top of this list, or near it, because he and Johnson were going to compete together at the Oak Hill Academy, and Syracuse basketball has made Cruz a high-priority target in the 2022 cycle.

All of these recent developments could hinder the chances of Cruz selecting the Orange when all is said and done. Cruz is a top-25 prospect in the 2022 class, and Johnson is rated as high as No. 3 nationally in this recruiting cycle, per 247Sports.

We’ll have to see how everything pans out as it relates to Cruz and the ‘Cuse. By the way, 2021 four-star big man Samson Johnson, a one-time Syracuse basketball target who ultimately committed to Connecticut, also attends The Patrick School.