For Syracuse basketball, 4-star commit could be ‘immediate impact player’

Syracuse basketball 2022 commit Chris Bunch, a four-star wing, caught the attention of some national recruiting analysts and scouts for his recent play, although his prep-school team didn’t fare so hot against elite competition.

The 6-foot-7 Bunch, a top-60 prospect and a top-20 small forward in his class according to 247Sports, is a senior at the Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah. He chose the ‘Cuse over Rutgers and Mike Hopkins-led Washington.

The Wasatch Academy is a member of the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (“NIBC”), an eight-member super league of independent prep squads and basketball academies.

Not too long ago, the Wasatch Academy suited up versus a trio of top-10 opponents during NIBC play at the La Porte Civic Auditorium in La Porte, Ind.

Let’s see how Syracuse basketball commit Chris Bunch performed.

Unfortunately, the Wasatch Academy lost all three of its contests. According to box scores and statistics provided by both Legit Sport Stats and The HS Circuit, Bunch averaged 11 points over these three affairs.

The Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., defeated the Wasatch Academy in a blow-out, 91-49. Bunch had 13 points, two rebounds and three blocks in this encounter.

The Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kan., bested the Wasatch Academy, 64-50. Bunch tallied six points and struggled shooting the ball from the field a bit.

In the final game, the Wasatch Academy held a lead for a good portion of this match-up, but ultimately the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., prevailed by a count of 73-67.

Bunch, though, had a nice showing against the powerhouse IMG Academy, producing 14 points and five boards. Following those results, the Wasatch Academy fell to 10-7 overall in the 2021-22 campaign.

In new top-25 national rankings this week on the Web site theseasonticket.com, the Wasatch Academy dropped to No. 15 across the country.

Despite the setbacks, Rivals.com national analyst Jamie Shaw and scouting analyst Tony McNiff provided some praise regarding Bunch.

Shaw tweeted out that he’s intrigued by Bunch’s long-term upside, noting that the Syracuse basketball commit is an “excellent 3-point shooter, with major – multi-positional – defensive ability.”

"After Bunch scored 13 points against a strong Oak Hill Academy squad, McNiff said in part, “Smooth shooter from the perimeter with a soft touch. Was able to take advantage of tight close-outs and attack the rim. Could very well be an immediate impact player at Cuse.”"