Syracuse Basketball: 5-star Jarace Walker ‘mismatch on both ends of floor’

One of the best all-around prospects in the 2022 cycle, who holds a Syracuse basketball offer, is getting all kinds of high praise from a national recruiting analyst.

Elite power forward Jarace Walker, a junior at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., received a scholarship offer from the Orange more than a year ago, although it doesn’t appear that the ‘Cuse is seriously in the mix for him at this juncture.

We noted in a recent column that four college teams could be heading toward the status of the front-runners for the 6-foot-8 Walker, according to Rivals.com national analyst Rob Cassidy.

This quartet of groups is Auburn, Alabama, Ohio State and 2021 Final Four participant Houston. By extension, Walker has taken official visits to these four squads.

Jarace Walker, who has a Syracuse basketball offer, is a premier 2022 power forward.

Another Rivals.com national analyst, Jamie Shaw, recently logged a prediction for Walker in the direction of Alabama, whose head coach is former Buffalo boss Nate Oats.

Several recent media reports on Walker suggest that he is taking his time with his recruiting process. That being said, I could foresee the five-star Walker ultimately selecting either Auburn, Alabama, Ohio State or Houston as his collegiate destination.

On the AAU circuit, Walker suits up for the Baltimore-based Team Thrill, and some analysts have detailed how this top-20 player in the 2022 class is performing well in AAU competitions.

Eric Bossi, the national basketball director for 247Sports, recently watched Walker play and provided some insights into his game. Bossi called Walker “a prodigious talent and also one of the most interesting and complex guys to evaluate in the rising senior class.”

Bossi writes that Walker can be “a mismatch on both ends of the floor,” and that the 2022 prospect is excellent around the basket, at passing and on defense.

Since Syracuse basketball offered Walker last summer, I’ve read tons of comments from analysts and other recruiting insiders about the promise and talent that he possesses.

I had hoped that the ‘Cuse would prove a significant contender for Walker, but obviously that hasn’t transpired. Stuff happens. The recruiting world is fickle.

In any event, whichever college team ends up landing Walker will experience a monumental boost within its 2022 cycle.