Syracuse Basketball: Many roadblocks exist to get 4-star Kyle Filipowski

Syracuse basketball only offered elite 2022 big man Kyle Filipowski in late April, although by all accounts Orange coaches are making the four-star prospect one of their top priorities in this cycle.

The 6-foot-10 power forward, a junior at the Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Wilbraham, Mass., has a bunch of official visits and unofficial visits lined up for June, including a trip to the Hill on June 5-6, according to various media reports.

Given that Filipowski has a ton of high-major offers, that he is traveling to Central New York for a visit is an encouraging sign. Additionally, I’ve read some articles and comments from recruiting insiders that suggest Filipowski is high on the Orange and head coach Jim Boeheim.

It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Syracuse basketball remains in the running for Filipowski throughout his recruiting process. Will he choose the ‘Cuse? That’s tough to tell at this juncture, but I do think that the Orange has a good shot to win out.

That being said, Filipowski’s offer list is quite extensive. A recent tweet from Tipton Edits says that Filipowski is being recruited the hardest by 11 teams, and they are the ‘Cuse, Duke, Ohio State, Indiana, Connecticut, Notre Dame, Iowa, Wake Forest, Rutgers, Northwestern and UCLA.

Hopefully, Syracuse basketball will make a lasting impression when Kyle Filipowski visits.

Filipowski is ranked as high as No. 31 nationally in the 2022 cycle by ESPN, so it’s no wonder that many stellar squads are pursuing him. I’ve said for a while now that the Blue Devils concern me, given how well Duke recruits.

For his June visits, Filipowski is scheduled to come to the Orange first, and the Blue Devils last. I feel like if Duke wows him during his trip to Durham, N.C., Filipowski could very well commit to the Blue Devils right then and there.

But it’s not just Duke that is a powerful adversary. Filipowski suits up for the New York City-based NY Renaissance on the AAU circuit, and one of his teammates is 2022 four-star shooting guard Roddy Gayle Jr., who previously considered Syracuse basketball but has committed to Ohio State.

UCLA is recruiting quite well of late and just went on a magical run to the 2021 Final Four. Indiana, Iowa, Rutgers and Northwestern compete in the rugged Big Ten Conference.

UConn has geographic proximity to where Filipowski plays prep-school ball in the Northeast. The Huskies are also recruiting at a high level these days.

After Filipowski makes his visits in June, we might get some clarity about which groups could amount to his finalists. Then again, offers continue to arrive for Filipowski. The Orange has its hands full in this recruiting battle.