Syracuse Basketball: Adam Weitsman would like to offer NIL to 4-star

Businessman, philanthropist and top SU booster Adam Weitsman says he would like to offer a name, image and likeness deal, depending on NCAA rules, to fast-rising small forward Marcus Adams Jr., who plays high-school and AAU ball on the west coast and holds a Syracuse basketball offer.

Media reports of late have suggested that the four-star Adams could end up in the 2023 or the 2024 recruiting cycles. Orange coaches are still looking for their first commitment in both of these cycles.

Adam Weitsman declined to provide further specifics.

In late December, Syracuse basketball coaches offered a scholarship to Adams, who attends Nathaniel Narbonne High School in the Harbor City area of Los Angeles. In recent games, Adams has put up some ridiculous numbers for Narbonne, including 50 points and 21 rebounds in one contest.

Adam Weitsman would like to offer NIL to four-star small forward Marcus Adams Jr., who has a Syracuse basketball offer.

On the AAU circuit, he has competed for the Los Angeles-based Elev8 Elite. Reports say that in the upcoming grassroots basketball tour, Adams will play for the Compton, Calif.-based Compton Magic in the Adidas league.

Oregon just offered Adams. His offer sheet, which now totals at least 15, also includes Texas, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Washington State.

As we noted in another recent column, collegiate heavyweights such as Kentucky, UCLA, Michigan, Texas Tech and USC, among others, are displaying interest in Adams, according to an article from 247Sports national analyst Dushawn London.

The 247Sports recruiting service rates Adams as four stars, No. 61 overall, No. 16 at small forward and No. 6 in California within the 2024 class. But to reiterate, Adams could be in the 2023 or the 2024 cycle.

As it relates to his NIL discussions, Adam Weitsman does not discuss Syracuse basketball or any other college team with high-school players and their families, because any NIL deals that Weitsman makes can’t be used as a form of inducement (“pay-for-play”) for high-school prospects to commit to a specific college or university.

Adam Weitsman has told me that his NIL opportunities for high-school players and current SU student-athletes will center on non-profit, civic and philanthropic efforts in the 315 and 607 area codes, rather than the marketing of his various businesses.

Regarding his potential NIL discussions with all student-athletes, these players can live anywhere they want and attend any school that they choose.

Weitsman also says that no matter what school players end up attending, he is interested in NIL discussions with them, because they are the kinds of people he would like to represent his charitable endeavors.