Chatter is swirling that Syracuse basketball is potentially pursuing 2021 four-star power forward Arthur Kaluma, although I think that it could be a fairly large challenge for the Orange to win out in this recruiting battle.
The 6-foot-8 Kaluma, a senior at Dream City Christian School in Glendale, Ariz., previously had the ‘Cuse in his top eight before selecting UNLV over the Orange, Arizona State, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and USC.
But the Rebels recently had a head-coaching change, and Kaluma has received a release from his commitment to UNLV. As such, his recruitment now appears open.
I’ve read a handful of articles that point to Big Ten Conference member Illinois getting involved with Kaluma, who is a top-50 player across the country in the 2021 cycle.
Additionally, multiple stories from 247Sports report that Kaluma has heard from teams such as Syracuse basketball and Arizona out of the Pac-12 Conference.
I’ve been high on Kaluma for a while now, and I had hoped that the ‘Cuse would possibly make another run at securing his services. But whether the Orange has a legitimate chance at prevailing remains to be seen.
Syracuse basketball is reportedly involved to some degree with 2021 four-star Arthur Kaluma.
Kaluma checks in at No. 44 nationally in the final 2021 rankings that got published by 247Sports earlier this week. He is also the No. 10 power forward and the No. 3 prospect in Arizona.
As we’ve detailed on numerous occasions, heading into next season, the ‘Cuse presently has three forwards on its roster in 2021 five-star commit Benny Williams out of the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., along with Cornell transfer Jimmy Boeheim and Villanova transfer Cole Swider.
Sophomore forward Quincy Guerrier recently said that he would continue to test the NBA Draft waters while entering into the NCAA’s transfer portal. That perhaps may open the door a tad for Syracuse basketball as it relates to Kaluma.
I say that because playing time is a consideration, and if Guerrier had returned to the Hill, you could forget about Kaluma coming to Central New York.
Jason Scheer, senior editor and publisher of WildcatAuthority.com, said in a piece that Kaluma “has consistently said he is looking for a school that will give him the ability to play immediately among other factors.”
Kaluma is immensely talented, but so is Williams. Additionally, Boeheim and Swider are veteran college players. So if Kaluma became the fourth Orange forward, how many minutes could he receive in head coach Jim Boeheim’s rotation for the upcoming campaign?
What’s more, in Scheer’s article, he quotes 247Sports national analyst Eric Bossi as writing that “Kaluma isn’t your traditional rugged and bruising low post player.” One could probably say similar things about the other ‘Cuse forwards on the roster.
That being said, I believe that Kaluma could thrive in the Orange system, especially in the 2-3 zone. Says 247Sports national analyst Dushawn London, in part, about Kaluma: “His biggest attribute is his toughness on the defensive side of the ball which makes him very valuable to any team he decides to play with because of his ability to switch and rebound. He’s also an outstanding passer for a power forward.”
We’ll have to wait and see how the recruiting process pans out for Kaluma.