In a recent article, a well-respected national analyst discussed a variety of topics, including the recruitments of two five-star players who hold scholarship offers from Syracuse basketball.
The high-school prospects that we’re discussing here are 2023 five-star small forward Justin Edwards and 2023 five-star guard/wing Matas Buzelis.
Both are in the junior class. The 6-foot-7 Edwards attends the Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia, while the 6-foot-10 Buzelis competes for the powerhouse Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H.
Edwards and Buzelis are each rated in the top-10 nationally within the 2023 cycle, according to some recruiting services. The Orange offered Edwards this past July, while Buzelis scored a ‘Cuse offer in November of 2020.
Syracuse basketball looks like a long shot for Justin Edwards, Matas Buzelis.
Jerry Meyer, a 247Sports national analyst, discussed the recruiting processes of Edwards and Buzelis in a recent edition of his Meyer’s Mailbag.
Meyer wrote about Edwards, “Kentucky is at the top of Edwards’ list along with Connecticut and Penn State.” Additionally, regarding Buzelis, Meyer said, “This one could be shaping up into a Duke versus Kentucky battle.”
Since both of these elite 2023 players are just getting into their junior seasons, their recruitments could have a way to go. But recent media reports, comments from analysts and interviews given by Edwards and Buzelis may suggest that the Orange isn’t a primary contender for each five-star prospect.
We’ll have to see how this all plays out. Understandably, the list of suitors for both Edwards and Buzelis is extensive and impressive. Each player has seen his national rankings soar in recent months.
Besides those listed above, other offers doled out to Edwards include from Connecticut, LSU, Ohio State, Virginia, Maryland, Auburn, Miami, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Temple, Virginia Tech, Georgetown, Marquette, St. John’s, VCU, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Beyond Syracuse basketball, Duke and Kentucky, Buzelis boasts offers and interest from teams such as Kansas, Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, Florida State, North Carolina, Illinois, Florida, Purdue, Oklahoma, Arizona, UCLA, Maryland, Wake Forest and Connecticut.
Some recruiting insiders and scouts have said of late that Buzelis might make a serious run at the No. 1 overall ranking in this class. I’d love to see the Orange get official visits from Buzelis and Edwards, but that possibility doesn’t appear to be looking so good these days.