Syracuse Basketball: Analyst details skill-sets of 5-star Brewster targets

Two of the top prospects within the 2023 class, one of whom has a Syracuse basketball offer and the other of whom has had interest from Orange coaches, recently suited up at a prep-school showcase.

A national recruiting analyst, following that event, has provided some insights into these ‘Cuse prospects, who are five-star wing/guard Matas Buzelis and five-star wing Taylor Bowen.

Both the 6-foot-10 Buzelis and the 6-foot-8 Bowen attend the powerhouse Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., which has sent a number of players to the Hill in recent terms.

In mid-September, Orange coaches made a trip to the Brewster Academy to visit with Buzelis, Bowen and some of their teammates. Buzelis received a scholarship offer from the ‘Cuse about a year ago.

Let’s see what an expert said about a pair of Syracuse basketball five-star targets.

Recently, Buzelis, Bowen and their teammates at the Brewster Academy suited up in the 2021 National Prep Showcase at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Conn.

According to 247Sports national analyst Travis Branham, coaches from blue-bloods Duke, Kentucky and Kansas were on hand at this showcase to watch the top-15 Buzelis and the top-25 Bowen compete.

"Branham wrote in part about Buzelis that he’s a “versatile forward with impressive guard skills who can dribble, pass and shoot. He had some terrific moments on the offensive end but showed there is ample room for him to improve on both ends of the floor.”"

Buzelis, who likely will contend for the No. 1 overall ranking in his class, has other suitors including Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, Florida State, North Carolina, Illinois, Florida, Purdue, Oklahoma, Arizona, UCLA, Maryland and Connecticut, among others.

"As for Bowen, Branham writes in part, “he is a tremendous athlete and showcased his potential as a defender. He is very mobile and very quick off his feet with bounce in space. He showed his ability to defend multiple positions, blocked some shots, ran in transition and had some good moments as a passer but his production is still ahead of him. With an improved jumper and more polished skillset, Bowen could make a jump by the time he graduates and chooses a school.”"

Other college teams reportedly vying for Bowen include Arkansas, Providence, UConn, Dayton, Marquette, Southern California, Maryland, Penn State, LSU, Rutgers, Iowa, Vermont and George Mason.