Syracuse Basketball: 4-star recruit’s athleticism, defense are off the charts

One of the biggest stock risers this spring, regardless of class designation, is 2023 four-star wing Kaden Cooper, who landed a Syracuse basketball offer at the end of April.

The 6-foot-6 guard/small forward has caught the attention of many national recruiting analysts and scouts for his recent performances on the AAU circuit, including during the April live periods where college coaches could watch Cooper in person.

More recently, just in the past few days, the prestigious Pangos All-American Camp transpired in Las Vegas, and experts say that Cooper was one of the best all-around performers, further boosting his stock.

It’s no wonder that the Orange and tons of other college squads have offered him over the last handful of weeks. It’s also a big reason why the ‘Cuse is likely a long shot to prevail in Cooper’s recruitment.

Syracuse basketball faces heated competition for four-star wing Kaden Cooper.

Cooper is a rising senior at The Skill Factory in Atlanta, and he runs with the Oklahoma-based Team Trae Young in the Adidas league on the AAU tour.

Three of his more recent offers have come in from Iowa, Connecticut and Missouri. His offer sheet also includes 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.

Heavyweights like Kentucky, North Carolina and Gonzaga are also showing interest in Cooper, according to media reports.

I’ve read a few articles of late that speak to Cooper lining up official visits to Gonzaga and LSU, with Oklahoma also in play for a near-term official visit.

Cooper’s recent performances have propelled him into the top-50 across the country, according to the most recent 2023 national rankings from 247Sports.

I would imagine that other main recruiting services will follow suit soon and place Cooper as a highly rated national prospect and a top-tier wing in his class.

Analysts and scouts consistently praise him for his explosive athleticism, tremendous defensive instincts and keen sense to quickly get out in transition and punish his opponents.

Cooper is credited with possessing an improved perimeter jump-shot that features deep range, enhanced play-making in the half-court, strong precise passing abilities, and terrific length for his primary positions at guard and small forward.

I don’t get the feeling that Syracuse basketball is necessarily a significant contender in his recruiting process, but you never know how these things will end up panning out.

One thing I do know is that Kaden Cooper is a star on both ends of the floor.