Skyrocketing Syracuse basketball recruit eyes visits, including to Gonzaga

Fast-rising 2023 wing Kaden Cooper, who received a scholarship offer from Syracuse basketball coaches at the end of last month, is starting to map out some official visits, according to a media report.

The 6-foot-6 guard/small forward, arguably one of the hottest prospects in his class, will reportedly take an official visit to college basketball heavyweight Gonzaga next month, per an article from On3 senior national recruiting analyst Gerry Hamilton.

We’ve noted that the three-star Cooper is receiving interest from the Bulldogs, and Hamilton reports that Cooper is expected to land an offer from Gonzaga on his official visit to that squad.

Cooper’s recruitment has already blown up with many offers in recent weeks, after he crushed things in April during NCAA live periods on the AAU circuit.

But Gonzaga officially getting into the mix for him will only make it more challenging if the Orange hopes to prevail for Cooper, who attends The Skill Factory in Atlanta and runs on the grassroots basketball circuit with the Oklahoma-based Team Trae Young in the Adidas league.

Syracuse basketball is among tons of suitors vying for three-star wing Kaden Cooper.

According to Hamilton, Cooper is also planning to go on an official visit to LSU, with the On3 analyst writing that “Oklahoma and Oklahoma State will also get Cooper on campus prior to a decision.”

While I’m not a recruiting analyst nor in Cooper’s inner circle, if he doesn’t end up taking an official visit to the Hill, I can’t foresee the ‘Cuse emerging as a significant contender for him.

A recent tweet from scouting service Pro Insight said that Syracuse basketball coaches were, lately, among the college teams in regular communication for Cooper, which I found encouraging.

But picking up an official visit from him, I believe, is vital if the Orange wants a realistic chance at securing the services of this ultra-athletic, explosive-scoring player.

Those squads that have offered Cooper include Houston, Pittsburgh, TCU, Mississippi State, Xavier, Kansas, Illinois, Texas, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Georgia Tech, Creighton, LSU, Wake Forest, Oklahoma, St. John’s, Rutgers, DePaul, Oklahoma State, Omaha, Kent State, Oral Roberts, UNLV, Tulsa and SMU.

Others, such as Kentucky, Gonzaga, Maryland, West Virginia, Oregon, Butler and Connecticut, have reportedly displayed an interest in Cooper, who exhibits a lot of positive character traits, as we discussed in another recent column on him.

I’ll absolutely root for this fine young man wherever he ends up. I want it to be with Syracuse basketball. But it does seem like the odds aren’t necessarily in the Orange’s favor as it pertains to Cooper’s recruiting process.