Syracuse basketball big-man target with a monster game, team undefeated

Syracuse basketball 2023 target Joseph Estrella is bringing in impressive new scholarship offers and interest, and the junior big man is backing up that rise in his recruitment with some stellar play on the court.

According to an article from the Portland Press Herald, the 6-foot-10 power forward/center collected a massive 35 points in leading his team to a 15-point victory a few days ago.

His squad, South Portland High School in South Portland, Maine, moved to 10-0 during the 2021-22 campaign after besting Bonny Eagle High School in Standish, Maine, by a final margin of 59-44.

Per the Portland Press Herald, in the first half alone Estrella tallied 21 points as South Portland High School built up a 28-22 advantage over Bonny Eagle High School.

I haven’t been able to find a box score from this contest. Either way, Estrella producing 35 points is certainly a positive reflection of his offensive skill-set.

Syracuse basketball offered under-rated big man Joseph Estrella last summer.

This past August, Estrella attended the Orange’s annual Elite Camp. During this event, the ‘Cuse coaching staff offered a scholarship to Estrella, and reports have suggested that this was the 2023 prospect’s first college offer.

As we’ve detailed in a couple of columns on Estrella, his offer sheet is growing. To date, his other offers have arrived from fellow Atlantic Coast Conference member Boston College, Big Ten Conference school Iowa, former Big East Conference rival Providence, Southeastern Conference squad Tennessee, and Harvard out of the Ivy League.

Other groups reportedly showing interest in Estrella include blue-blood programs Duke and Kansas, as well as Notre Dame and Marquette.

In addition to competing for South Portland High School, Estrella has played on the grassroots basketball circuit for the Middlesex Magic, which is one of the best AAU teams in the New England region.

The primary recruiting services currently don’t rank Estrella on a national scale within the 2023 cycle, but I foresee this likely changing at some point.

The New England Recruiting Report, though, does rate him as the No. 1 player in the state of Maine and No. 10 overall in New England within the 2023 class.

We’ll of course continue to monitor how Estrella is faring during the 2021-22 term, as well as how his recruiting process is playing out.