Syracuse basketball targets plentiful in pre-season national team rankings

An abundance of Syracuse basketball targets across various cycles are on high-school squads ranked in a pre-season national ballot.

Syracuse basketball continues to pursue a wide variety of elite prospects throughout the next few classes, and the teams whom these players suit up for are expected to thrive in the upcoming campaign.

Ronnie Flores, the national grassroots editor for BallIsLife.com, has published a list of the pre-season top-50 groups at the high-school level for the 2020-21 term, and we’ve detailed below the squads which include Orange targets.

The IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., checks in at No. 2 overall. Attending this powerhouse prep-school program is ‘Cuse 2022 target Jarace Walker, a five-star small forward. Syracuse basketball 2021 five-star commit Benny Williams, a fellow small forward, also competes for one of the IMG Academy teams.

DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Md., is placed at No. 5. The Orange is displaying interest in two players on this legendary squad, 2022 four-star small forward Tyrell Ward and 2023 four-star shooting guard Jacoi Hutchinson.

The Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore is No. 7, and the ‘Cuse is taking a look at one prospect there, 2024 power forward Derik Queen.

The La Lumiere School in La Porte, Ind., is No. 8 in these rankings. J.J. Starling, a 2022 four-star point guard and Central New York product, transferred to the La Lumiere School a couple of months ago.

The Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, Calif., is situated at No. 17. Syracuse basketball high-priority target Chance Westry, a 2022 four-star guard, suits up for this California squad.

Roselle Catholic High School in Roselle, N.J., is No. 30. Playing for this team is 2023 three-star big man Aaron Bradshaw, who is garnering interest from the Orange.

Syracuse basketball has reached out to promising 2022 point guard Bryce Lindsay, whose squad, the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in Baltimore, is No. 33.

Finally, The Patrick School in Hillside, N.J., is No. 38. Competing for this crew is 2022 five-star guard Zion Cruz, who recently transferred there from the Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va.