Syracuse basketball coaches have a lot of positive momentum with fast-rising four-star small forward Marcus Adams Jr. from the west coast, according to information that I’ve been able to gather.
In late January, the 6-foot-8 Adams, a prolific scorer who has the option to be a member of either the 2023 or the 2024 class, took an official visit to the Hill. During that trip, he was in attendance when the Orange lost by five points to No. 6 Virginia at the JMA Wireless Dome.
On February 1, Marcus Adams Jr. disclosed a top five of Syracuse basketball, Texas, UCLA, Oregon and Mississippi State. At this juncture, his only official visit has been to the ‘Cuse, although media reports indicate that he may look to take some additional official visits in the near future.
Adams has also said that he is eyeing a college decision by the end of February. As it stands now, I personally believe that the Orange is the favorite for him, but that could certainly change.
Four-star small forward Marcus Adams Jr. is getting love from the Syracuse basketball community.
Adams posted a photo from his official visit to the ‘Cuse on his Instagram page, and he also revealed his top five a few days ago via Instagram and Twitter.
For both of those developments, I came across multiple guys with Syracuse basketball connections who either commented positively on Adams’ posts, or “liked” the posts.
This is not an exhaustive list, but among those who I came across in this regard are Judah Mintz, Kiyan Anthony, Quadir Copeland, Eric Devendorf and Elijah Moore.
Where shall I go?? @TiptonEdits pic.twitter.com/fb3DSbzidM
— Marcus Adams Jr (@marcusadams21) February 1, 2023
Mintz is the Orange’s starting freshman point guard who, per reports, spent time with Adams on his official visit. Copeland is a current freshman guard/wing for the ‘Cuse.
Devendorf, a huge supporter of the SU program, is a former Syracuse basketball star.
Moore, a four-star shooting guard from New York City, recently gave a verbal commitment to the Orange, which represented the team’s first pledge in the 2024 cycle.
Anthony, a 2025 four-star shooting guard also from the Big Apple, is the son of Syracuse basketball legend Carmelo Anthony. Last November, the ‘Cuse coaching staff offered a scholarship to Kiyan Anthony.
It’s not a surprise that current and former Orange players, as well as recruits, are high on Marcus Adams Jr. He is one of the hottest prospects across the country, regardless of class designation.
Adams is putting up some big-time performances during the current 2022-23 season for Nathaniel Narbonne High School in the Harbor City area of Los Angeles. In fact, he’s one of the leading scorers nationwide at this juncture in 2022-23.
His recruitment has blown up lately, with Adams’ offer sheet rapidly growing to around 15, according to some reports. Syracuse basketball coaches offered him in late December.
In grassroots basketball, Adams has played for the Los Angeles-based Elev8 Elite, which is an Adidas-sponsored program, and reports have said he plans to compete for the Compton, Calif.-based Compton Magic in the Adidas league during the upcoming AAU circuit.
Marcus Adams Jr. is rated No. 61 overall, No. 16 at small forward and No. 6 in California within the 2024 cycle, per 247Sports. Given his output in 2022-23, I expect him to vault into the top 50 from various recruiting Web sites.
As I first reported in late January, businessman, philanthropist and top SU booster Adam Weitsman has offered a significant name, image and likeness deal to Adams. Weitsman has told me that his NIL offer to Adams is for the 2023 class.
As I also first reported not too long ago, Weitsman has verbally agreed to a major NIL deal with the top-75 Moore.