Syracuse Basketball: Analysts say Benny Williams, SU fit is best in class

The Syracuse basketball 2020-21 season came to a close last weekend when the Orange lost to Houston in the Sweet 16, and already ‘Cuse fans are clamoring to see incoming recruit Benny Williams arrive on the Hill.

The 6-foot-8 Williams, a five-star forward from the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., is rated as high as No. 15 overall in the 2021 class, according to Rivals.com.

He has an excellent all-around game and will reach Central New York in a few short months as one of the highest-rated prospects in recent Syracuse basketball history.

Not only are recruiting analysts placing Williams as one of the top high-school players in the 2021 class, but they are also raving about how well they think Williams will mesh with the Orange program.

Case in point, Rivals.com national analysts Rob Cassidy and Jamie Shaw recently discussed in an article which committed prospect in the entire 2021 cycle they think has the best fit with his selected squad, and both came up with the same answer. Williams and the ‘Cuse.

"Here’s what Cassidy had to say. “Benny Williams was created in a lab test tube to play in the Syracuse zone, but the fit goes beyond defense. Williams is as well-rounded a player as there is in this class, and does just about everything on the offensive end solidly at worst. His length and ability to stretch the court screams Syracuse. Orange fans are going to love the way he functions in the program.”"

Sign me up, please!

Syracuse basketball is getting a gem in 2021 five-star forward Benny Williams.

In further evidence of Williams’ talent and future potential, he was recently selected to compete in the 2021 Allen Iverson Roundball Classic, a major All-American game for high-school players. This contest will take place on May 8 in Memphis, Tenn.

Williams continues to hone his craft and should be on the Hill in the coming months. He said to Donna Ditota of Syracuse.com, “I’m not sure when I go for summer school but the first day of summer school classes is June 7th. And I’ll be there for both sessions.”

You never know how high-school prospects are going to fare in their freshmen stanzas of college, but for me, I believe that Williams will play a key role for the ‘Cuse pretty much right away. He’s that good.

Noted Rivals.com’s Shaw, “I am not sure Benny Williams could have picked a better spot.”