Syracuse Basketball: Lucrative pro deals could be viable options for targets

Former Syracuse basketball commit Dior Johnson recently was offered more than $1 million from the National Basketball League (NBL), a professional basketball league based in Melbourne, Australia, according to a report.

Johnson, a five-star point guard in the 2022 class, recently committed to Oregon out of the Pac-12 Conference, although it’s certainly possible that he could still end up forgoing college and heading straight from high school to the professional ranks.

Recently, there have been conflicting reports out there as to whether Orange 2022 high-priority target Chance Westry has also received a pro deal worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to upwards of more than $1 million.

The four-star Westry, an elite combo guard in this class, took an official visit to the Hill not too long ago. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he does end up receiving one or more pro offers, whether that be from the NBL, the NBA’s G League or the recently formed Overtime Elite.

The junior recently left the Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, Calif., and moved back to Pennsylvania, where he is a native of Harrisburg, according to reports.

Syracuse basketball prospects could ultimately pass on college for juicy pro contracts.

Whether in the 2022 cycle or beyond, it’s entirely possible that future ‘Cuse targets could elect to go directly from high school to the pro level.

The bevy of prep-school targets will still attend college for at least one season, but more pro routes are becoming available, and the paychecks can prove substantial.

Four-star wing Kamari Lands, a junior at Prolific Prep in Napa Valley, Calif., gave a verbal commitment to the Orange this past April. Could the top-25 prospect receive a pro offer? Absolutely. Will he bail on Syracuse basketball? Not necessarily.

Some top-flight players in high school just want to play basketball and earn money, and who can blame them. But others seek out a college experience, and that’s great as well.

It’s really all about a young man’s skill level and personal preference as to whether college, even if just for one term, is important. His life situation could factor into the equation, too.

The opportunity to play in front of tens of thousands of screaming fans at the Carrier Dome is appealing. Competing in the rugged Atlantic Coast Conference is enticing. And the chance to suit up in March Madness is a dream for many high-school players.

But not for all of them. So whether it’s Johnson or Westry, or neither of them, the likelihood remains that, at some point, a high-school prospect who is pursued by the ‘Cuse or has even given the team a verbal commitment will then decide that the professional path is best for him.

It’s inevitable. And it’s okay. College basketball will be totally fine.