Syracuse Basketball: 4-star priority recruit vs. Melo 4-star son in NYC clash

This weekend, two powerhouse high-school programs in New York City will face off, and this enticing encounter has multiple connections to Syracuse basketball recruiting efforts in the 2024 and 2025 cycles.

On Sunday, Dec. 18, beginning at 1 pm, Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, N.Y., will host Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village, N.Y.

According to high-school hoops experts, both the Cardinal Hayes Cardinals and the Christ the King Royals are anticipated to compete for top-25 national rankings in the recently commenced 2022-23 season.

That being said, each NYC squad has suffered multiple losses thus far in 2022-23, albeit to some really excellent opponents. When I wrote this column, the MaxPreps Web site said that Cardinal Hayes was 3-4, while Christ the King was 2-2.

Syracuse basketball fans will want to keep close tabs on a battle in the Big Apple.

One of the standouts for the Cardinals is 2024 four-star shooting guard Elijah Moore. The 6-foot-4 Moore was offered a scholarship by the Orange this past April.

In recent months, he has taken both an official visit and an unofficial visit to the ‘Cuse. Moore, rated in the top 100 of the junior class by numerous recruiting services, speaks quite highly of the ‘Cuse, and he is clearly a priority target for Syracuse basketball coaches in the 2024 cycle.

In late November, when Cardinal Hayes cruised to a lopsided win, Moore connected on 8-of-12 attempts from long range and finished with 32 points, per media reports. He is an elite shooter from beyond the arc.

As far as the Royals are concerned, one member of the team’s 2022-23 roster is 2025 four-star shooting guard Kiyan Anthony, the son of Orange legend Carmelo Anthony.

The ‘Cuse offered a scholarship to the 6-foot-3 Kiyan Anthony not too long ago. He is a top-65 national prospect in the sophomore class, according to 247Sports.

While Anthony’s recruiting process likely has a long way to go, I envision Syracuse basketball being a significant contender in his recruitment.

This past Monday evening on the west coast in a nationally televised affair, Christ the King fell by a count of 62-51 on the road to the Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, Calif.

A senior star for Sierra Canyon is 2023 four-star guard Bronny James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James. With LeBron and Carmelo in attendance, Kiyan Anthony tallied eight points, while Bronny James collected 12 points.

This Sunday afternoon, I’m excited to see Anthony and Christ the King go toe to toe with Moore and Cardinal Hayes. Nothing is ever a given in the recruiting arena, but it’s certainly feasible that down the line, Anthony, Moore – or both of them – could end up donning an Orange uniform.