Syracuse Basketball: Kentucky offer likely coming soon for 5-star target

Syracuse basketball (Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports)
Syracuse basketball (Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports)

Syracuse basketball 2023 five-star target Justin Edwards, one of the hottest prospects across the country in his class, could find himself with a scholarship offer from recruiting juggernaut Kentucky in the near future.

In recent weeks, there have been rumblings among some national analysts and recruiting insiders that those Wildcats are showing serious interest in the 6-foot-7 wing, and that an offer could arrive for the top-10 Edwards once he took a trip to Kentucky.

Well, word has come out that Edwards plans to take an official visit to Kentucky on November 18, according to recruiting services and media reports, including one from Joe Tipton of On3 Recruits.

As we previously documented, at least one recruiting insider on Rivals.com has already logged a prediction in the direction of the Wildcats for Edwards.

If he is offered by Kentucky on his official visit or shortly thereafter, let’s see if other analyst projections start flowing in for the Wildcats as it pertains to Edwards’ recruitment.

Syracuse basketball has heavy competition for five-star Justin Edwards.

A junior at the Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia, Edwards recently entered into the top-10 nationally within his cycle, according to some recruiting services.

When 247Sports recently refreshed its 2023 ratings, Edwards made one of the largest leaps in the entire class. And I’ve seen more than one national analyst of late suggest that Edwards could make a run for the No. 1 spot in the 2023 cycle.

Orange coaches offered Edwards over the summer. Frankly, I haven’t seen a whole lot of chatter regarding the ‘Cuse having buzz with Edwards, but you never know how a player’s recruiting process will pan out.

He does have a large list of other high-major suitors, including 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.

Edwards has said in several interviews over the last few months that coaches from UConn are in frequent contact with him, and it appears that Kentucky is a big-time player in his recruitment now.

A stellar three-level scorer who is also described by analysts and scouts as an excellent rebounder, passer and defender, Edwards could see more blue-bloods and recruiting heavyweights get into the mix for him.

Then again, with Kentucky head coach and ace recruiter John Calipari already in the fray, it’s going to prove quite challenging for Syracuse basketball to pick up Edwards, who is a top-five small forward in his class, as well as the No. 1 prospect in Pennsylvania.