Syracuse basketball appears on ‘outside looking in’ with Micawber Etienne

Other teams seemed to have jumped ahead of Syracuse basketball as it pertains to 2021 four-star center Micawber Etienne.

Syracuse basketball doesn’t seem to find itself in a strong position with 2021 four-star center Micawber Etienne, a top-65 prospect nationally in this recruiting cycle.

We recently penned a column detailing that fellow Atlantic Coast Conference member Miami and Big Ten Conference participant Illinois are garnering solid buzz in Etienne’s recruitment, although multiple analysts of late continue to note that the Orange remains in the mix for the talented 6-foot-10 big man.

In a recent Q&A session, recruiting guru Jake Weingarten, the founder of Stockrisers.com, said of Etienne, “Miami, Marquette, Illinois, among the several programs involved. Louisville, Kansas, Syracuse, and some others are involved as well.”

"However, in a separate Q&A, recruiting analyst and journalist Mike McAllister, the publisher of SyracuseOnSI, said that with regards to Etienne, “Syracuse appears to be on the outside looking in at this point in time. Happened several weeks ago. There was some hope at one point that Syracuse would be a major player throughout, but it seems Illinois jumped to the forefront several weeks ago. There are other schools involved as well, but the Orange are on the outside. I wouldn’t count on him joining the class.”"

Syracuse basketball is not in great shape as far as landing 2021 four-star center Micawber Etienne, one analyst says.

It would prove a bummer if the ‘Cuse ultimately doesn’t secure the services of Etienne, because he’s an extremely likable young man. Additionally, he has spoken highly of his relationship with Orange coaches on more than one occasion.

Recruiting experts praise his game, saying he absolutely has NBA potential. Etienne, a senior at the Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., who runs on the AAU circuit with the Bronx, N.Y.-based PSA Cardinals, also receives high marks for his character and work ethic.

In a recent article, 247Sports analyst Jerry Meyer got asked which rising three- or four-star prospect in the 2021 class has the best chance of cracking the top 25, which could also lead to a five-star rating.

One of Meyer’s responses centered on Etienne, with the 247Sports analyst describing Etienne as a “blossoming big man who reminds me of Joakim Noah.”