Syracuse Basketball: 4-star Judah Mintz ‘will be one of toughest freshmen’

Ever since 2022 four-star combo guard Judah Mintz announced his verbal commitment to Syracuse basketball at the end of March, I’ve read an abundance of comments from national analysts and scouts that speak to his expected big-time impact for the Orange in his freshman year and beyond on the Hill.

The 6-foot-3 Mintz, who put forth a stellar recent senior season for the powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., is one of six signees for the ‘Cuse in 2022, and this class is deemed a top-10 to a top-15 cycle nationally, according to multiple recruiting services.

By and large, Mintz is the highest-rated commit for Syracuse basketball in its 2022 class, and he has said in interviews that Orange coaches anticipate him being a major contributor on the 2022-23 roster as a freshman in Central New York.

As we’ve detailed in other recent columns on Judah Mintz, he is praised by experts for his three-level scoring prowess, his athleticism and quickness, his high energy, and his strong defensive instincts, among other positive attributes.

Syracuse basketball coaches expect big things out of four-star guard Judah Mintz.

One tweet that I recently came across really registered with me. It’s from Samad Hines, a high-school hoops analyst and scout who I believe is one of the best in the business.

"What Hines recently said via Twitter about Mintz is tremendous. The expert wrote that the Orange 2022 commit “will bring next level toughness and competitiveness to Syracuse next season. Mintz will make his impact in all phases on the court. Will be one of toughest freshmen in college basketball no doubt.”"

Mintz’s national rankings in the 2022 cycle are great. He’s in the top-35 overall and the top-10 at shooting guard, per ESPN, while the industry-generated composite ratings place him around No. 50 across the country.

He’s got a scorer’s mentality, and he facilitates well for others. All of that is stellar.

But Hines noting Mintz’s all-around game, his competitiveness, and his toughness, that speaks volumes to me. I’m no expert, but what I will say is that, by and large, you can’t simply teach a basketball player to have a fiery competitive spirit and be tough.

It’s innate in that player. And Mintz seems to possess that. Syracuse basketball fans, myself included, are totally jazzed for Judah Mintz to begin his tenure on the Hill.

He’s going to be a star, and for many, many reasons beyond just putting the ball in the basket.