Syracuse Basketball: ‘Cuse offers fast-rising combo guard from City Rocks

Syracuse basketball has extended a scholarship offer to 2023 three-star combo guard Elijah Gertrude, who suits up for the Albany City Rocks and a New Jersey prep team.

The City Rocks, in a tweet, disclosed the Orange’s offer to the 6-foot-3 Gertrude, who is a rising senior at Hudson Catholic Regional High School in Jersey City, N.J.

We’ve noted in numerous columns of late that the ‘Cuse is targeting two other 2023 guards, four-star Reid Ducharme of the Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., and four-star Elmarko Jackson from the South Kent School in South Kent, Conn.

That being said, now the Orange coaching staff is apparently in pursuit of Gertrude, who appears to potentially be more of a late bloomer in the 2023 cycle, as far as his recruiting process is concerned.

Syracuse basketball has entered the fray for three-star guard Elijah Gertrude.

According to various media reports, Gertrude has proven a stand-out for the City Rocks in Nike’s EYBL league during AAU competitions this spring and early summer, as well as other events, such as the recently held Philly Live showcase in Philadelphia amid an NCAA live period.

In reviewing several recruiting services, it looks like at this point Gertrude holds around 10 scholarship offers. His other suitors include Virginia, St. Bonaventure, Seton Hall, Pittsburgh, St. John’s, Iona, Saint Peter’s, Rutgers and Temple.

Per an article from 247Sports national analyst Dushawn London, Gertrude has made unofficial visits to Rutgers and Seton Hall. He has taken an official visit to St. John’s and plans to officially visit Virginia at the end of July, according to London.

Gertrude said in the 247Sports story that he’s eyeing a commitment announcement at the beginning of October, but he added that his recruitment remains open.

A couple of the primary recruiting services rate Gertrude as a three-star prospect, although I imagine he could easily make his way into a four-star player based on his recent performances in grassroots basketball.

When I penned this column, the industry-generated On3 Consensus placed Gertrude at No. 144 nationally, No. 20 at combo guard and No. 10 in New Jersey.

On3 has him at No. 134 overall, No. 16 at combo guard and No. 10 in New Jersey, while 247Sports ranks Gertrude at No. 139 across the country, No. 21 at combo guard and No. 8 in New Jersey.

In April, Syracuse basketball coaches offered another fast-rising player from the City Rocks program in 2024 wing Damarius Owens. The 6-foot-7 guard/forward is a rising junior at the Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio.