Syracuse Basketball: 5-star Zion Cruz talks visits, keeping options open

In recent months, the vast majority of Syracuse basketball fans that I read comments from on social media and in chat rooms are fairly adamant that 2022 five-star combo guard Zion Cruz is not coming to the Hill.

For me, you never know with this recruiting stuff until a prospect makes his collegiate destination known, however, I would acknowledge that there doesn’t necessarily appear to be much buzz between the Orange and Cruz, who is ranked a top-20 overall player in this cycle by numerous recruiting services.

That being said, I would add that Cruz’s recruiting process does also seem to be pretty tight-lipped, so I won’t make any grand proclamations about whether the ‘Cuse has any sort of chance at landing this elite 2022 guard.

The 6-foot-5 Cruz, a junior at The Patrick School in Hillside, N.J., received a scholarship offer from Syracuse basketball back in August of 2019, so Orange coaches got in relatively early on with him. Cruz’s offer list of around 20 squads is impressive, with a bunch of high-majors in the mix.

To date, I haven’t seen any predictions for Cruz by analysts and other recruiting insiders. There is a line of thinking that he will likely end up at a blue-blood school. I believe it’s anybody’s guess for now. I would love it if the ‘Cuse stays in contention as Cruz’s recruitment carries onward.

Zion Cruz, with a Syracuse basketball offer in tow, has a few teams he’d like to visit.

In a recent interview with Rob Cassidy, a basketball recruiting director for Rivals.com, Cruz did speak about his recruitment a bit. When the NCAA starts allowing in-person campus visits again amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, Cruz said that he wants to check out Auburn, Georgia and fellow Atlantic Coast Conference member Florida State.

Naturally, seeing that trio of groups mentioned probably doesn’t give Orange fans any sort of confidence that Cruz may ultimately pick the ‘Cuse.

However, per Cassidy’s article, Cruz is reiterating “that he’s nowhere near making a decision or officially narrowing his list.” Cruz added in the Rivals.com piece, “I’m talking to everybody and keeping my options open right now.”

Okay, so maybe Syracuse basketball still does have a shot with Cruz. Or perhaps not. We’ll have to wait and see. Either way, competition is fierce, with other offers from the likes of Baylor, Illinois, Ohio State, Oregon, Iowa, Alabama, UCLA, Connecticut, Louisville, Maryland, Seton Hall, St. John’s and Indiana.

Kentucky has also reportedly shown interest in Cruz. The ‘Cuse faces an uphill battle, without question. The outlook probably isn’t great. But until Cruz reveals his choice or at least cuts down his list, I’ll try to remain at least slightly optimistic for Syracuse basketball.