Syracuse Basketball: For 5-star UK de-commit, Coach Hop could be player

Syracuse basketball is among numerous high-major schools to have recently reached out to 2022 five-star prospect Skyy Clark, who de-committed from Kentucky not too long ago and has reopened his recruitment back up.

It remains to be seen whether the Orange has a shot with the 6-foot-3 Clark, who recruiting Web sites list as either a point guard, a combo guard or a shooting guard. The consensus top-50 player in the 2022 cycle is a senior at the powerhouse Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla.

As we noted in a column, Clark said in a recent interview that “everything’s on the table right now. Every school has a fair shot.” Of course, as his recruiting process carries onward, it should become more clear which suitors are true contenders, and which ones are not.

I came across an article from one of the best analysts in the business, 247Sports national basketball director Eric Bossi, who wrote in part that one should “expect some twists and turns if you are a fan following the recruitment of the creative handling and offensive minded floor general.”

Syracuse basketball has shown interest in five-star guard Skyy Clark.

In prior articles that we’ve written about Clark, we cited media reports saying that those college squads that have reached out to him, besides the ‘Cuse, include teams such as Gonzaga, Illinois, Tennessee, Arizona State, South Carolina, Butler, Georgetown, Vanderbilt, Mike Hopkins-led Washington, Xavier, USC, Oklahoma State and Marquette.

"According to Bossi, we may want to keep an eye on Illinois and Washington. He wrote, “Illinois is thought to have a pretty good shot early and another that could bear watching is Washington. Before Clark committed to Kentucky, the Huskies felt that they were much deeper with Clark than anybody was giving them credit for being. Let’s see what happens when he starts setting visits.”"

On March 22, Pro Insight director of scouting Andrew Slater said via Twitter that the “full staff” at Washington had made a trip to see Clark.

Hopkins, the long-time Syracuse basketball assistant coach, has had some up and down seasons leading the Huskies, but he can flat-out recruit.

It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Coach Hop emerges as a legit contender for Clark. Let’s remember that Washington was one of three finalists, along with the Orange and Rutgers, for 2022 four-star small forward Chris Bunch, who ultimately picked the ‘Cuse.

Clark, who is from Nashville, Tenn., is rated five stars by the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, although some of the other primary recruiting services rank him as a four-star prospect. His highest overall placement in the 2022 class is No. 25 across the country, per ESPN.

Prior to his commitment to Kentucky, Clark had received around two-dozen scholarship offers, with his other finalists reportedly being North Carolina, Memphis and UCLA.

Obviously, it would prove encouraging if Clark took an official visit to the Hill. At the same time, Syracuse basketball does have two guards already in its five-member 2022 cycle, although neither is ranked as high as Clark.

Additionally, Orange coaches have been pursuing 2022 four-star guard Judah Mintz, who is a senior at the Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va.

The 6-foot-3 Mintz, once committed to Pittsburgh, recently took officials to the Orange, DePaul, Wake Forest and N.C. State. DePaul is thought to be the favorite to land him, according to some national analysts.

Mintz is eyeing a commitment announcement during the 2022 GEICO Nationals, which will take place from March 31 through April 2 at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.