Syracuse Basketball: Examining various possibilities for ‘Cuse 2023 class

Syracuse basketball boasts a five-member 2022 class that hovers around the top-15 across the country, with those commits covering all five positions and possessing strong chemistry.

As we turn to the 2023 cycle for the ‘Cuse, the team has yet to haul in a verbal commitment in this class, although these players are in their junior years, and as such their recruiting processes could carry on for a bit longer.

Now, based on media reports and recruiting services, Syracuse basketball coaches have apparently offered more than a dozen prospects in the 2023 cycle.

I credit the ‘Cuse coaching staff for offering an abundance of 2023 players who are rated five stars and in the top-25 to the top-50 overall, although clearly the Orange faces intense competition for these elite high-school juniors.

Let’s take a look at various Syracuse basketball recruiting targets in 2023.

I need to make it crystal clear here that I’m not a recruiting analyst, nor am I in the inner circles of these high-school players. I’m giving my own personal opinion on the Orange’s shot with these prospects, based on reports, interviews given by the players, comments from analysts, and recruiting services.

Seems like the Orange is in good shape

Four-star power forward/center Papa Kante from the South Kent School in South Kent, Conn. The ‘Cuse offered Kante this past August at the team’s annual Elite Camp, and reports suggest he’s eyeing a visit to the Hill.

Four-star shooting guard Reid Ducharme with the Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H. Ducharme was offered at the Orange’s most recent Elite Camp, he hears from the ‘Cuse regularly, and reports have said he would like to visit the program.

Big man Joseph Estrella of South Portland High School in South Portland, Maine. Estrella, also offered by Syracuse basketball at the Elite Camp, has spoken quite highly of the Orange, although his other offers continue to pile up.

Tough to read at this juncture

Four-star wing Gavin Griffiths with the Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford, Conn. Griffiths, offered by the ‘Cuse in the fall of 2020, has mentioned a possible visit to Central New York. He’s a hot prospect in this cycle.

Four-star point guard Aden Holloway out of the La Lumiere School in La Porte, Ind. Syracuse basketball reportedly offered him in the summer of 2019. His offer sheet is growing.

Four-star shooting guard/wing Spencer Mahoney, who goes to Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. Mahoney continues to climb up the national rankings and was offered by the Orange last August.

Can’t see this happening for the ‘Cuse

Five-star point guard D.J. Wagner of Camden High School in Camden, N.J. Wagner, the No. 1 player in 2023, was offered by Syracuse basketball at the team’s Elite Camp. Kentucky appears to be the leader for him.

Five-star forward Kwame Evans Jr. from the Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla. Evans, offered by the ‘Cuse last October, has said that the Orange is heavily involved in his recruitment, but other teams like Texas, Indiana, Oregon and Kentucky seem to have more buzz with him.

Five-star small forward Justin Edwards, who attends the Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia. The ‘Cuse offered him last summer. Reports suggest potential favorites for Edwards include Kentucky, Connecticut and Penn State.

Five-star power forward G.G. Jackson with Ridge View High School in Columbia, S.C. Syracuse basketball was the first to offer him, in August of 2020, but those firmly in the mix for Jackson include North Carolina, South Carolina, Duke, Virginia and Georgetown, among others.

Five-star guard/wing Matas Buzelis of the Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H. The Orange offered Buzelis in November of 2020. ‘Cuse coaches did visit with him last September at the Brewster Academy, although other schools seem to be in more regular communication with Buzelis, including heavyweights Duke and Kentucky.

Five-star wing Elijah Fisher from the Crestwood Preparatory College in Toronto, Ontario. Syracuse basketball offered him early on, in the summer of 2020. I could see Fisher potentially going the pro route. In some of his more recent interviews, he’s mentioned teams he’s hearing from the most, and I haven’t seen the ‘Cuse noted.

Four-star power forward/center Isaiah Miranda, who goes to the Springfield Commonwealth Academy in Springfield, Mass. The Orange offered him last November. He’s visited Kentucky, UCLA, USC, Providence, UConn and St. John’s, while other formidable suitors appear to be Kansas, Memphis and Oregon.

Four-star shooting guard Blue Cain with Knoxville Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tenn. Cain said on Twitter that the ‘Cuse offered him in February of 2021, and his other offers include from Georgia Tech, Tennessee, South Carolina and Virginia Tech. I haven’t seen Cain speak much about Syracuse basketball when he’s done interviews in the past.