Syracuse Orange news: Ian Jackson joins 5-star PG, Jerami Grant, more

Two former Syracuse Orange basketball five-star recruiting targets will be teaming up at fellow Atlantic Coast Conference squad North Carolina down the line.

Earlier this week, 2024 five-star guard Ian Jackson from New York City gave a verbal commitment to the Tar Heels. The 6-foot-5 Jackson had taken junior-year official visits to UNC, Kentucky, Oregon, LSU and Arkansas.

A standout for Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, N.Y., Jackson was offered a scholarship by the ‘Cuse last April. Shortly thereafter, he did note in several interviews that he was hearing from the Syracuse Orange basketball staff regularly, but I’m not sure if the ‘Cuse ever emerged into a significant contender for him.

In late December, 2024 five-star point guard Elliot Cadeau picked North Carolina from a top six that included the Orange. There have been reports out there suggesting that both Jackson and the 6-foot-1 Cadeau could end up considering a reclassification to the 2023 cycle.

Cadeau, a star junior at the Link Academy in Branson, Mo., was offered a three-year, seven-figure name, image and likeness deal by businessman and top SU booster Adam Weitsman last month. Weitsman had also previously reached out to Jackson and his camp to discuss NIL opportunities.

Other Syracuse Orange news

Jerami Grant is a stud
Former Syracuse Orange basketball star Jerami Grant has put forth a terrific 2022-23 season to date suiting up for the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, and The Athletic senior writer Jason Quick recently had some impressive things to say about the 6-foot-8 small forward.

The Trail Blazers aren’t all that stellar so far in 2022-23, but Grant is having perhaps his finest term in the NBA (you can view his latest statistics here). He was selected at No. 39 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and has competed for multiple pro teams since then.

Prior to departing for the NBA, Grant played two seasons on the Hill for a pair of really good ‘Cuse squads. As a freshman, he didn’t receive a whole lot of minutes, but the 2012-13 group went 30-10 overall and reached the Final Four.

In his sophomore stint, the 2013-14 stanza, Syracuse Orange basketball moved from the Big East Conference to the Atlantic Coast Conference. The ‘Cuse would race out to a 25-0 start but faded late, ending the season at 28-6.

Grant was a pivotal piece on that 2013-14 team, as he averaged about 12 points and seven rebounds per contest.

NCAA/recruiting news

Bummed that ‘Cuse didn’t offer Vasean Allette
Last August, we detailed in a column how prolific-scoring Canadian guard Vasean Allette had called Syracuse Orange basketball one of his dream schools in an interview with scouting service Pro Insight.

The 6-foot-3 Allette, a member of the 2023 class from Scarborough, Ontario, was an absolute beast during the most recent AAU circuit suiting up for the Toronto-based Canada Elite in the Under Armour Association league.

Throughout his recruiting process, the four-star Allette landed more than 20 scholarship offers, but I never saw one arrive from the ‘Cuse. His final five consisted of Mississippi State, Dayton, Old Dominion, Seton Hall and Georgia Tech.

A few days ago, Allette said via Twitter that he had verbally committed to Old Dominion. He attends the Thornlea Secondary School in Thornhill, Ontario.

Considering that Syracuse Orange basketball coaches have offered more than 20 players in the 2023 cycle, with no commitments as of yet, why the ‘Cuse didn’t offer Allette is puzzling to me.