Syracuse Basketball: Is ‘Cuse a major player in 5-star target’s recruitment?

Syracuse basketball 2023 five-star target Justin Edwards recently discussed some of the main teams prominent in his recruitment during an interview with a national analyst.

Did the Orange get a mention? Unfortunately, not. That being said, the junior at the Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia could have a long way to go in his recruiting process, so we’re not shutting the door on the ‘Cuse at this juncture.

By the way, Syracuse basketball offered this stellar small forward over the summer. The 6-foot-7 Edwards, ranked in the top-10 across the country in his cycle according to some recruiting services, has a ton of high-major offers.

Besides the Orange, his suitors include LSU, Ohio State, Virginia, Connecticut, Maryland, Auburn, Miami, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Temple, Virginia Tech, Georgetown, Marquette, St. John’s, VCU, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Syracuse basketball faces a tall task in trying to land five-star Justin Edwards.

We’ve noted in recent columns that Edwards, at least for the time being, hears the most from former Big East Conference rival Connecticut.

According to a recent article from Rivals.com basketball recruiting director Rob Cassidy, some of the key players in Edwards’ recruitment are UConn, Penn State, Maryland and Kentucky.

The Wildcats are certainly a squad to watch, given that team’s prowess on the recruiting trail. “Now Kentucky is coming heavy,” Edwards said to Cassidy.

In fact, we published a piece not too long ago, detailing how Kentucky has landed a prediction for Edwards from a recruiting insider on Rivals.com.

Based on several recent media reports, Edwards looks to be mapping out a visit to the Wildcats. He thinks it’s a distinct possibility that he’ll pick up a scholarship offer from Kentucky when he makes a trip to Lexington to visit the Wildcats, Edwards told Cassidy.

I do get the sense that the Huskies are in a good position with Edwards. And, naturally, when Kentucky is in the mix, that makes it challenging for other contenders to win out.

Edwards’ stock continues to climb. He recently arrived at No. 8 overall in the 2023 class when Rivals.com updated its national ratings for this cycle.

I was glad to see the ‘Cuse coaching staff offer him a few months ago, although Edwards could be focused on other college teams. It happens.

We’ll continue to monitor his recruitment to determine whether Syracuse basketball has a realistic chance at emerging victorious in the recruiting sweepstakes over Edwards.