Syracuse Basketball: Competition for 4-star priority PG growing immensely

As far as I can tell, Syracuse basketball coaches are prioritizing four-star guard Elmarko Jackson in the 2023 cycle, having offered him a scholarship this past April.

The 6-foot-4 Jackson, rated in the top-100 overall in his class by numerous recruiting services, has spoken highly of the Orange program, and he’s noted in several interviews that he may take an official visit to the Hill.

However, Jackson’s offer sheet is blowing up, and rather quickly, I might add. This doesn’t mean the ‘Cuse isn’t in the running for him, but the competition continues to intensify.

I’d feel a whole lot better about the Orange’s chances should Jackson elect to travel to the ‘Cuse campus for an official visit. Especially as he eyes trimming his list of contenders by summer’s end, with a possible commitment announcement coming in the late fall, Jackson has said in recent interviews.

Syracuse basketball faces a huge challenge trying to prevail for four-star guard Elmarko Jackson.

According to his Twitter page, just in the past few days, Jackson has picked up new offers from heavyweight programs including Villanova, Kansas, Michigan, Texas and Indiana.

His other offers have arrived from college squads such as Virginia, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, DePaul, Pittsburgh, Nebraska, Rutgers, Notre Dame, Kansas State, St. John’s, Penn State, Miami, Minnesota, Maryland, VCU, Bryant, La Salle, Ole Miss, Seton Hall and California.

As such, with more than two-dozen offers, how Syracuse basketball separates itself from the pack will prove tricky. And I’d expect more impressive offers to flow in for Jackson, who has performed well this spring and early summer on the AAU circuit for WE R1 in the Under Armour Association league.

Also in recent days, with college coaches in attendance, Jackson has earned praise from national recruiting analysts and scouts for his performances against top-flight competition at the NBPA Top 100 camp in Orlando, Fla.

Jackson recently said that he had transferred for his upcoming senior season from the Academy of the New Church in Bryn Athyn, Pa., to the South Kent School in South Kent, Conn., a powerhouse prep team whose alumni include former Orange players Elijah Hughes and Matthew Moyer.

According to various media reports, Syracuse basketball coaches have been in attendance watching Jackson during AAU contests or at other recent events, such as the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council showcase.

While I’m not an analyst or scout, personally, I think that Elmarko Jackson is underrated in the 2023 class on a national scale. For one, when Rivals.com updated its national rankings for this cycle, Jackson checked in as three stars and No. 144 overall. Huh?

ESPN, On3 and 247Sports all have him as a top-75 national player, with the two industry-generated composite services rating him just inside the top-100 across the country.