Syracuse Basketball: Big-man target possesses ‘size, mobility, and skill’

Syracuse basketball is among numerous high-majors that have either offered or shown interest in 2024 big man Caleb Middleton.

We’ll of course continue to monitor whether Orange coaches end up offering a scholarship to the 6-foot-10 power forward/center. Personally, I’d love to see the ‘Cuse officially get into the recruiting mix for Middleton, whom some analysts say is poised to enter the national rankings in the 2024 cycle at some point sooner rather than later.

Last season, Middleton suited up for the New Hampton School in New Hampton, N.H., but he’s competing during his sophomore year for the Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio.

His recruitment has grown on a national scale as Middleton played at a high level on the grassroots basketball circuit over the summer with the Boston Amateur Basketball Club, which is a top-flight AAU squad.

Syracuse basketball coaches have displayed interest in big man Caleb Middleton.

At this juncture, Middleton says that he hears the most from Big Ten Conference member Iowa, according to a recent article by Rivals.com national analyst Jamie Shaw.

Middleton has taken a visit to the Hawkeyes, a team that develops big men quite well. Iowa, by the way, recently offered a Syracuse basketball recruiting target in the 2023 class, 6-foot-10 power forward Joseph Estrella out of South Portland High School in South Portland, Maine.

Getting back to Middleton, other scholarship offers that have arrived for him are from DePaul, Bryant, Siena and Florida International University, although that list will undeniably expand.

Middleton told Shaw that other schools he’s hearing from regularly, but have yet to offer him, include Syracuse basketball, Clemson, West Virginia, Iowa State and Indiana.

Interestingly enough, Middleton said in the Rivals.com piece that he loves “big environments and good fan bases.” Well, from a crowd perspective, you can’t get much bigger than 35,000-plus screaming fans inside the Carrier Dome.

Middleton’s versatility enables him to stretch the floor, “but I can also bang inside,” he said. “I block a lot of shots and just like to play hard.”

Shaw says that the 2024 prospect moves well for a player of his size and length. Middleton is agile and has great timing that enables him to block shots with prowess. “He is a capable shooter,” according to the Rivals.com analyst.

"Shaw added, “Size, mobility, and skill are a nice combo, especially for a sophomore in high school. As we expand our rankings in the 2024 class, Middleton’s name will be discussed.”"