For Syracuse basketball target Micawber Etienne, two teams getting buzz

Syracuse basketball high-priority target Micawber Etienne has a tough-to-read recruitment, and for now the Orange is still in contention.

National recruiting analysts have said multiple times of late that the recruitment of Syracuse basketball high-priority target Micawber Etienne is proving a challenge to read.

The 2021 four-star center, a top-65 prospect nationally in his class, has an abundance of high-major offers, and the Orange has pursued him for quite a long time.

The 6-foot-10 Etienne, a senior at the Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., may not make his collegiate decision or even cut down his list of possible suitors in the near future, so of course we’re speculating a bit here.

However, some signs have recently indicated that perhaps the ‘Cuse isn’t among the top teams in the running to land this ultra-talented big man.

Brian Snow, a recruiting analyst for 247Sports, has penned a column where he discusses in detail the recruitment of Etienne, and Snow’s insights are absolutely worth passing along to all Syracuse basketball fans out there.

Snow acknowledges that this is “definitely not a two-horse race” for Etienne as numerous squads are still involved, however, “at least behind the scenes the two schools seemingly getting the most buzz are Miami and Illinois.”

Syracuse basketball 2021 target Micawber Etienne is considering a range of groups, but two in particular are receiving buzz.

Illinois, an excellent program out of the Big Ten Conference, has already landed one expert prediction on Rivals.com for Etienne. Snow writes that Illinois “can sell the success of Kofi Cockburn and the fact that he will most likely be departing after the season, which would open up minutes right away for Etienne.”

By the way, Cockburn, a four-star center in the 2019 recruiting cycle, had the Orange among his 12 finalists before ultimately selecting Illinois.

"Check out Snow’s thoughts about fellow Atlantic Coast Conference member Miami. “Miami is in a unique position because Etienne’s parents have purchased a residence in Florida and intend to move there. While it isn’t in Miami specifically, it is fairly close to the campus and would allow them to see their son quite often. Also, Miami is in a position where they have a lot of playing time to offer, and that is something that intrigues Etienne.”"

Syracuse basketball, I fear, probably won’t secure this skilled player, who is such a likable young man. Then again, the ‘Cuse remains in contention for the time being.

Snow sums things up, regarding Miami, Illinois and Etienne’s recruitment, with the following. “This isn’t the easiest recruitment to handicap, but right now those two schools have some buzz with them, and the rest of the details will be figured out soon enough.”