Syracuse Basketball: Five-star Brandon Huntley-Hatfield weighs reclassify

Syracuse basketball remains in pursuit of 2022 five-star power forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, who has the Orange in his top six, along with Ole Miss, Kansas, Wake Forest, Tennessee and Auburn.

The 6-foot-9 Huntley-Hatfield received an offer from the ‘Cuse last December and immediately put the Orange into his small group of finalists.

Since then, analysts have spoken positively about the potential of Huntley-Hatfield ultimately choosing the ‘Cuse, although two Southeastern Conference schools, Ole Miss and Tennessee, are currently receiving predictions for Huntley-Hatfield from recruiting insiders.

You never know how things will shake out in the fickle recruiting business, but for me, I believe that Ole Miss and Tennessee are the two favorites, followed by Syracuse basketball in the No. 3 spot.

Huntley-Hatfield, a junior at Scotland Campus in Scotland, Pa., is deemed a top-10 overall player in the 2022 cycle, per the majority of recruiting services, and he would be a game-changer for the Orange if he decides to suit up in Central New York.

Syracuse basketball is in the mix for 2022 five-star Brandon Huntley-Hatfield.

An interesting component of Huntley-Hatfield’s recruitment is whether he stays in the 2022 class or elects to reclassify up to the 2021 cycle.

"In an article by Rivals.com national analyst Jamie Shaw, Huntley-Hatfield said, “Right now, I am on the 2022 side, but me being able to dominate every game I play in, consistently, is really what I am trying to see. If I come in for 2021 I am going to have to come in and be ready to dominate right away. This summer I will see if I am able to do that or if I should come back and continue to develop in the 2022 class.”"

The ‘Cuse has 13 scholarship players on its present roster, with two seniors and one 2021 commit in five-star forward Benny Williams set to arrive on the Hill later this year.

So Syracuse basketball should have at least one scholarship available, if not more, depending on whether any current guys depart the program after the 2020-21 stanza.

Thus, the Orange appears to have room to accommodate Huntley-Hatfield in either cycle. He told Shaw that Syracuse basketball coaches are in constant communication with him, which is encouraging.

Huntley-Hatfield added, “I am looking to see how I do this summer, and hopefully at the end of the summer make a decision whether I want to reclassify up to 2021 or stay in 2022. I don’t have an exact timetable as of right now for picking a college.”