Syracuse Basketball: 5-star targets’ teams highly ranked in top-25 poll

Syracuse basketball fans will have a load of elite high-school teams to cheer for this coming season, and a handful of these squads are expected to compete for a national title.

Samad Hines recently released his updated pre-season top-25 poll on theseasonticket.com ahead of the 2021-22 campaign. Multiple prep schools and public high-school teams are included, and they feature a range of Orange four-star and five-star targets in several recruiting cycles.

The IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., is No. 3 overall. Its loaded roster includes 2022 five-star power forward Jarace Walker, who holds a ‘Cuse offer.

Syracuse basketball 2022 commits Justin Taylor, a four-star wing, and Quadir Copeland, a four-star point guard, are suiting up for the IMG Academy post-grad squad this upcoming term.

Prolific Prep in Napa Valley, Calif., is No. 7. This stellar prep school is the former home of 2022 four-star wing Kamari Lands, who recently de-committed from the Orange.

In 2021-22, Dior Johnson will suit up for Prolific Prep. The 2022 five-star point guard at one time was verbally committed to Syracuse basketball, but now Johnson is an Oregon commit.

The La Lumiere School in La Porte, Ind., is placed at No. 9. This team’s line-up includes Orange 2022 high-priority target and Central New York native J.J. Starling, a four-star guard, and ‘Cuse 2023 prospect Aden Holloway, a four-star point guard.

Let’s examine where other teams with Syracuse basketball recruits are nationally ranked.

The Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah, is arranged at No. 13. Word broke recently that 2022 four-star wing Chris Bunch, a top target for the Orange in this cycle, is transferring to the Wasatch Academy for his senior year.

Coming in at No. 14 is Camden High School in Camden, N.J. This squad features 2023 five-star point guard D.J. Wagner, who is the No. 1 overall prospect in this class, as well as 2023 four-star big man Aaron Bradshaw. Syracuse basketball has reportedly shown interest in both players.

Hillcrest Prep in Gilbert, Ariz., is No. 17. Two recent additions to this group are Lands and long-time ‘Cuse 2022 target Chance Westry, a four-star guard.

Finally, Roselle Catholic High School in Roselle, N.J., is No. 20 overall. Suiting up for Roselle Catholic High School is 2023 five-star combo guard Simeon Wilcher, who recently picked up an offer from Syracuse basketball.