Syracuse Basketball: Orange will get an exquisite point guard in 2022 class

Syracuse basketball isn’t going to see 2022 five-star point guard Dior Johnson don an Orange uniform after he reneged on his verbal commitment last November, but that won’t prevent the ‘Cuse from picking up a stellar point guard in this cycle.

As we’ve detailed in the past, Syracuse basketball has scholarship offers out there to a duo of 2022 point guards in four-star J.J. Starling out of the La Lumiere School in La Porte, Ind., as well as three-star Quadir Copeland with the Life Center Academy in Burlington, N.J.

Starling continues to see his recruitment expand on a national level, although he has Central New York ties and has spoken highly of Orange head coach Jim Boeheim and the ‘Cuse program on numerous occasions.

The same goes for Copeland. Syracuse basketball offered him more recently, in mid-November, but Copeland has held a virtual call with the Orange coaching staff, which reportedly went well.

Recruiting analyst and journalist Mike McAllister, the publisher of SyracuseOnSI, said in a recent article that as it pertains to Copeland, “Syracuse’s biggest competition right now is Maryland, but Penn State should not be counted out either.”

Starling, meanwhile, received his offer from the ‘Cuse back in the summer of 2019. He is performing well for a national prep-school powerhouse, and I would imagine his offer list will keep on growing.

"McAllister writes of Starling, “Syracuse has been in touch with Starling for a long time, and continue to recruit him hard. He has several others in hot pursuit, and does not appear to be anywhere close to a decision.”"

It wouldn’t surprise me at all if either Starling or Copeland ultimately commits to the Orange. However, let’s not forget about the under-rated yet extremely talented Bryce Lindsay.

Syracuse basketball will end up landing a terrific 2022 point guard.

Syracuse basketball reportedly continues to show interest in Lindsay, who attends the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in Baltimore. There is some buzz that he could soon be in line for an offer from the ‘Cuse, so that’s something we’re monitoring.

"In a recent interview with Jake Weingarten, the founder of Stockrisers.com, Lindsay said of the Orange, “My AAU coach communicates with Coach [Adrian] Autry. He says I can be their leading point guard coming in. They haven’t offered yet but they remain in contact every week and their system intrigued me.”"

The 2022 class is a bit down the road, so what the Syracuse basketball roster will look like heading into this cycle remains unclear. But the Orange should have a few scholarships available.

The ‘Cuse is in a strong position with five-star power forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield. A wing, such as four-star Justin Taylor or four-star Ty Rodgers, seems realistic. As does a center, whether four-star Donovan Clingan or three-star Riley Mulvey.

And then there’s a point guard. I’d be shocked if Syracuse basketball doesn’t secure Lindsay, Copeland or Starling, which totally works for me.