Syracuse Basketball: Per analysts, 5-star PG has option to join 2023 class

I’ve come across several reports from national recruiting analysts lately that speak to the option being there for Syracuse basketball priority recruiting target Elliot Cadeau to reclassify from the 2024 cycle to the 2023 class.

I am curious as to whether the Orange might have a better shot at landing this five-star point guard if the 6-foot-1 Cadeau stays in the 2024 class or moves up to the 2023 cycle.

Not too long ago, Cadeau, a top-10 national prospect in the 2024 class per multiple recruiting services, included Syracuse basketball in his top six, along with North Carolina, Louisville, Texas Tech, Kansas and Texas.

I’m anxious to see if the ‘Cuse can get Cadeau onto the Orange campus for an official visit in the near future. Personally, I don’t think that he will end up picking Syracuse basketball if he doesn’t ultimately make a trip to the ‘Cuse.

Syracuse basketball does have numerous guards on its current roster.

As we’ve discussed many times in recent months, Orange coaches have offered scholarships to more than 20 prospects in the 2023 class, with no commitments as of yet.

At this juncture, I’m not aware of the ‘Cuse presently targeting any 2023 guards. And if we look ahead to the 2023-24 campaign, Syracuse basketball would have several scholarships available should Cadeau reclassify into the 2023 cycle and want to come to Central New York.

Cadeau, who has been contacted by businessman Adam Weitsman about his potentially lucrative name, image and likeness opportunities, is an elite high-school player.

He attends the powerhouse Link Academy in Branson, Mo., a group that is expected to significantly compete for a national championship during the 2022-23 term.

As far as the Orange’s potential roster for the 2023-24 season, senior guards Joe Girard III and Symir Torrence could return for a fifth stanza on the Hill, but I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that either or both of them will come back.

Freshman point guard Judah Mintz is garnering some early buzz for the 2023 NBA Draft, however, if I had to venture a guess, I think he’ll be in a ‘Cuse uniform for at least one more campaign beyond the present one.

Two other Syracuse basketball freshmen are Justin Taylor and Quadir Copeland. Taylor is a shooting guard/small forward. Copeland appears to be able to suit up at point guard, shooting guard and potentially on the wing as a small forward, due to his height and length.

Now, if Girard, Torrence, Mintz, Taylor and Copeland are all back in 2023-24, that probably isn’t ideal for the Orange’s chances to land Cadeau, should he move to the 2023 cycle. Under that scenario, from my perspective, the ‘Cuse could have a better shot at Cadeau if he stays in the 2024 class.

However, if Girard and Torrence depart Central New York, and at least one of the freshmen guards leaves as well, then I think Syracuse basketball could be a more desirable spot for Cadeau in the 2023 cycle.

Plus, the Orange is pursuing a couple of other guards in the 2024 class, while the ‘Cuse seems to have nothing doing with 2023 guards at this juncture, at least as far as I can tell.

So there may be situations where Syracuse basketball may be better suited for Cadeau, who I’m sure wants to play a lot of minutes as a freshman, in either the 2023 cycle or the 2024 one.

We’ll obviously continue to closely follow Cadeau’s recruiting process, including whether he opts to reclassify or not.