Syracuse basketball near-term recruiting picture becoming bit more clear

A lot to unpack of late as it pertains to Syracuse basketball recruiting in 2021 and 2022.

All kinds of developments have recently transpired that point to some additional clarity for Syracuse basketball in its 2021 and 2022 classes.

For one, in the 2021 cycle, the Orange got its guy in five-star small forward Benny Williams, a top-25 player nationally according to Rivals.com. ‘Cuse head coach Jim Boeheim said on a recent Zoom call that he and his assistants focused their attention in 2021 mainly only on Williams.

To that end, 2021 four-star center Micawber Etienne hasn’t included Syracuse basketball in his final four, and 2021 four-star power forward Arthur Kaluma committed to UNLV after having the Orange in his top eight.

The ‘Cuse hadn’t really received much buzz for either Etienne or Kaluma anytime lately, so it’s not a surprise that the squad’s 2021 class consists solely of Williams.

With a present roster of 13 scholarship players, two seniors and Williams coming in, the Orange would seem to have at least one scholarship available following this upcoming campaign that maybe it will hold onto for the transfer market.

It’s too far into the future to know exactly how many scholarships the ‘Cuse will possess for the 2022 class, since guys often transfer out of the program or leave early for the professional ranks. But my sense is that the Orange will have a minimum of three scholarships open, if not more, in 2022.

Here is some context about the current Syracuse basketball recruiting situation in the 2022 cycle.

Roddy Gayle Jr., a 2022 four-star shooting guard, is going to Ohio State. Dior Johnson, a 2022 five-star point guard, has de-committed from the Orange.

I don’t think that either five-star guard Zion Cruz or five-star forward Jarace Walker will come to the ‘Cuse, based on comments from recruiting experts as well as recent interviews given by these two elite prospects.

Syracuse basketball has long pursued four-star guard Chance Westry, and the ‘Cuse appears still in the running, but the fact that he’s on the West Coast for high school now doesn’t give me a great feeling about the Orange’s chances with him.

The ‘Cuse got in really early with four-star center Donovan Clingan, however, his recruitment continues to expand on a national scale, and I don’t think that the Orange will land him.

I do believe, however, that Syracuse basketball has a terrific opportunity to secure three-star center Riley Mulvey.

On the wing, my gut tells me that the ‘Cuse is going to win the recruiting sweepstakes for four-star Justin Taylor or four-star Ty Rodgers. In fact, the Orange may acquire both of them.

Out of four-star small forwards Chris Bunch, Yann Farrell and Kamari Lands, Syracuse basketball likely has the best shot with Farrell, but it wouldn’t surprise me if ‘Cuse gets none of them.

At point guard, a new offer has gone to three-star Quadir Copeland, and he seems really excited about the possibility of suiting up in Central New York.

Some recruiting analysts say with Johnson no longer committed to the Orange, four-star J.J. Starling becomes a more realistic option for the ‘Cuse.

But similar to Clingan, Starling’s recruitment is growing on a national basis, and I feel that Syracuse basketball may have a better chance with Copeland or another under-rated point guard whose stock is soaring, Bryce Lindsay.

Ultimately, the Orange is going to have Williams in 2021, and in 2022, the ‘Cuse will obtain Mulvey, Taylor or Rodgers, and Copeland or Lindsay, assuming that Syracuse basketball offers Lindsay. Westry, then, is a wild card.

This may not give Syracuse basketball a top-five 2022 recruiting class, but it still could prove a top-20 to top-30 cycle.