Syracuse basketball may prove in mix for one of the best 2022 classes

Syracuse basketball, led by Dior Johnson, is primed for a top-notch 2022 class.

Over the summer, I prognosticated that Syracuse basketball could ultimately find itself in position for one of the top-rated 2022 classes across the country, headlined by five-star point guard Dior Johnson.

Johnson, recently enrolled at Corona Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., committed to the Orange back in February, and he has said that he plans to bring other stellar recruits with him to the Hill.

As we’ve documented on many occasions, ‘Cuse coaches are pursuing a bevy of other highly ranked prospects in the 2022 class, and 247Sports analyst Brian Snow is taking notice.

Snow has published an article in which he discusses whether any other college basketball squads nationwide can catch up to Michigan State and lay claim to the No. 1 class in the 2022 cycle.

The Spartans boast the top-rated 2022 player in Emoni Bates, as well as five-star Canadian center Enoch Boakye, Snow points out. This story mentions a handful of other possible contenders to battle Michigan State for the premier 2022 class.

Unsurprisingly, Snow sounds off names including blue-blood heavyweights Duke, Kansas and Kentucky. Potential surprises may come from Arkansas, Minnesota and Purdue, Snow writes. And then, there’s Syracuse basketball, which we will now discuss.

An analyst says that Syracuse basketball is poised for a highly rated 2022 cycle.

"Here’s what Snow had to say about the Orange. “Also, while it wouldn’t be a historical surprise, Syracuse could also find themselves in the mix for a highly ranked class. Top five prospect Dior Johnson is already committed, the Orange are very much in the mix with Chance Westry, and then also have a longstanding relationship with J.J. Starling. Syracuse is likely is going to in the mix with several other top prospects.”"

The ‘Cuse is in the running for four-star guard Westry, who could move to five stars. The team continues to pursue five-star forward Jarace Walker, who is deemed by the majority of recruiting services as a top-10 player in this class.

There are also targets such as five-star guard Zion Cruz, four-star shooting guard Roddy Gayle Jr., four-star center Donovan Clingan and four-star wing Justin Taylor.

If Syracuse basketball can pick up several of those guys to go along with Johnson, watch out. I think it will prove tough for the Orange to end up with the No. 1 group in the 2022 cycle, if only because it would need a relatively large class, and that may not be in the cards.

However, a top-five 2022 class on a national scale is absolutely feasible for the ‘Cuse. That would prove a tremendous accomplishment for this squad, which has somewhat struggled on the recruiting trail in recent seasons, according to some Syracuse basketball fans.