Syracuse Basketball: Several analysts project four-star wing to the Orange

Syracuse basketball (Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)
Syracuse basketball (Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)

Syracuse basketball 2022 high-priority target Justin Taylor is expected to announce his collegiate destination on Saturday, and it seems that the Orange has a solid shot to win out in the recruiting sweepstakes over the four-star wing.

The 6-foot-6 Taylor, who has received close to 20 scholarship offers, recently whittled down his list of contenders to Syracuse basketball, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana and Virginia Tech.

The ‘Cuse coaching staff has pursued Taylor for quite some time, and I’ve even read some comments that suggest he is the team’s top overall target in this cycle.

Taylor is a junior at the St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville, Va., and he runs on the AAU circuit with the Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover.

He previously suited up in AAU competitions with a friend of his, Orange 2021 five-star commit Benny Williams, who is an incoming freshman forward for the ‘Cuse via the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

Syracuse basketball is looking pretty good for 2022 four-star wing Justin Taylor.

When Taylor recently cut his list of those still in the mix to five squads, he also said that he would reveal his choice on Saturday, June 26.

You never know how things will exactly pan out in the sometimes unpredictable recruiting world, although the Orange has appeared to possess strong buzz related to Taylor throughout his recruiting process.

To that end, ahead of his commitment announcement, analyst Jamie Shaw and editor Tim Sullivan have both logged predictions on Rivals.com in favor of Taylor picking Syracuse basketball. The same goes for 247Sports national analyst Travis Branham.

For me, you always have to take these sorts of prognostications with a grain of salt. However, it’s still encouraging that Shaw, Sullivan and Branham are viewing the ‘Cuse as the potential favorite for Taylor.

Taylor is a top-60 prospect nationwide in his class, according to numerous recruiting services. He has spoken highly of the Syracuse basketball program, as well as the good relationships that he has developed with head coach Jim Boeheim and assistant coach Gerry McNamara.

By all accounts, Taylor’s official visit to the Hill earlier this month went quite well. I have an excellent feeling that his ultimate decision will be to join the Orange. Hopefully, I didn’t just jinx it.