Syracuse Basketball: What pledge by 4-star PG would mean for 2022 class

On August 10, Syracuse basketball high-priority target and 2022 four-star point guard Quadir Copeland is expected to reveal his collegiate destination, and the Orange certainly has solid buzz for this talented and under-ranked prospect.

The ‘Cuse has received several predictions from national analysts as it pertains to the 6-foot-6 Copeland, and the Orange coaching staff has appeared to have made him a top priority in this cycle ever since Syracuse basketball offered Copeland last November.

His top eight are the ‘Cuse, Maryland, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Miami, Penn State, DePaul and La Salle. I’m not in Copeland’s inner circle, but personally I believe that the Terrapins are the biggest competition for the Orange in this recruiting battle.

Copeland is headed to the powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., for his senior year, and he runs on the AAU circuit with the Millburn, N.J.-based New Jersey Scholars Elite Basketball Club.

Should he select Syracuse basketball, it would provide a third excellent prospect for the Orange in its 2022 class. Let’s take a further look.

Syracuse basketball is firmly in the mix for four-star point guard Quadir Copeland.

In April, 2022 four-star wing Kamari Lands gave his verbal commitment to the ‘Cuse. Toward the end of June, fellow 2022 four-star wing Justin Taylor did the same.

Lands reportedly can suit up at small forward and both guard positions. I believe that Taylor is primarily being recruited as a shooting guard, although I imagine he can play some small forward as well.

For me, with two exquisite wings in place, the biggest needs are a point guard and a big man. Copeland would give Syracuse basketball a four-star point guard and third top-100 prospect in the 2022 cycle.

Frankly, Copeland is presently under-rated, and I could see him entering the top-60 overall. If that transpires, the Orange would have a top-25 player in Lands, and two top-60 prospects in Taylor and Copeland.

Plus, the ‘Cuse continues to pursue 2022 four-star player J.J. Starling, a Central New York native who can suit up at either point guard or shooting guard.

Now we turn to the big-man department. Syracuse basketball recently missed out on 2022 four-star power forward Kyle Filipowski and 2022 four-star center Donovan Clingan.

I think that the Orange has a good shot at ultimately landing Peter Carey, who can play power forward or center and should emerge as a four-star, top-100 player in 2022. The ‘Cuse also recently offered 2022 forward Dominick Barlow, per his Twitter page.

If Syracuse basketball ends up with Lands, Taylor, Copeland and Carey, that has the makings of a top-15 to top-25 class. Then the wild cards to me are Starling and 2022 four-star wing Chris Bunch, who can reportedly compete at multiple positions as well.

If either Starling or Bunch commits to the ‘Cuse, that is a five-member 2022 class that should rank in the top-10 across the country when all is said and done.