Syracuse Basketball: Recruiting buzz for next few classes is so exciting

Some Syracuse basketball fans have lamented about the team’s recruiting since joining the ACC in 2013-14, but the Orange’s near-term outlook is exceptional.

What Syracuse basketball has on the horizon in its recruiting efforts over the next couple of cycles is hopefully something that is juicing up Orange fans.

In recent seasons, following the ‘Cuse move from the Big East Conference to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2013-14, it’s no secret that the Orange has put forth numerous so-so performances, particularly in regular stanzas.

To that end, a contingent of Syracuse basketball fans has grown frustrated with the team’s results on the court of late, as well as the Orange’s endeavors on the recruiting trail. There is certainly validity to how these folks feel.

On the flip side, and I’m not making excuses here, but the NCAA sanctions levied against the ‘Cuse several years ago definitely stung the team in the recruiting arena.

When 2018 five-star forward Darius Bazley de-committed from Syracuse basketball to get ready for the NBA Draft, that proved the last straw for a group of Orange fans totally frustrated with the ‘Cuse recruiting efforts.

However, the NCAA penalties are in the squad’s rear-view mirror, and the Orange is gearing up for the potential to secure a bevy of top-flight talents in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 classes.

The hype involving Syracuse basketball recruiting in upcoming classes is legit and electrifying.

Syracuse basketball commit Benny Williams, rated as five stars and a top-25 prospect nationally in the 2021 cycle according to Rivals.com, says the ‘Cuse is “going to be back on top.”

He wants to take a future visit to the Hill with his IMG Academy teammate, fellow small forward Jarace Walker, who is a five-star, top-12 player in the 2022 class and a big-time target for the Orange.

Williams said in a recent virtual interview that he is hopeful that Syracuse basketball will land one or two more commitments in its 2021 class, although we’ll have to wait and see about that.

As it pertains to the 2022 cycle, Walker is among an abundance of top-25, top-50 and top-100 guys whom the Orange has offered and is pursuing.

We all know that 2022 five-star point guard Dior Johnson pledged to the ‘Cuse back in February, and he has noted on numerous occasions that he expects to bring other elite players with him to the Hill.

Johnson, rated as high as No. 3 across the country in his class per 247Sports, is a game-changer for Syracuse basketball on the recruiting front.

Sure, Orange fans are somewhat concerned about some recent developments surrounding him, but Johnson is the kind of prospect who makes other players better, and they want to suit up alongside him.

As such, I have prognosticated in the past that the ‘Cuse could have the top-ranked 2022 class, although many Orange fans disagree with me. Regardless, the excitement that has gotten built up is tangible, and it’s invigorating.

What’s more, Syracuse basketball has already commenced offering multiple top-50 guys in the 2023 cycle, headlined by five-star wing Elijah Fisher from Canada. Fisher is a top-five player overall in this class, according to several recruiting services.

Of course, the ‘Cuse isn’t going to hear its name called for all of these prospects. In fact, most of them will head elsewhere. That’s how the fickle recruiting world works.

Yet the sizzle enveloping Syracuse basketball recruiting is evident, and picking up a handful of additional high-school stars to complement Johnson and Williams will signify that, like Williams has said, the Orange is on its way back to the top.