This is strictly my personal opinion, but my sense is that Syracuse basketball and UCLA are going to end up as the front-runners down the stretch in the recruiting process of four-star small forward Marcus Adams Jr.
Granted, the fast-rising 6-foot-8 Adams may not make a college decision until later on in the spring, and he has picked up a slew of new big-time scholarship offers lately.
What’s more, I’ve yet to see any predictions from national analysts for Marcus Adams Jr. on the primary recruiting Web sites. But based on some recent comments from recruiting analysts, and my own discussions with Adams’ AAU coach, I do think that the Orange is in a good spot with the top-65 player.
To reiterate, though, I’m not in Adams’ inner circle, and his offer sheet continues to grow. So we’ll have to see how this all plays out.
Syracuse basketball does face steep competition for four-star SF Marcus Adams Jr.
Adams is a standout for Narbonne High School in the Harbor City area of Los Angeles. In grassroots basketball, he has played for the Los Angeles-based Elev8 Elite, which is an Adidas-sponsored program led by head coach Cory DeSanti.
The Orange coaching staff offered Marcus Adams Jr. in late December. He took an official visit to the Hill in late January. In early February, Adams revealed a top five of Syracuse basketball, Texas, UCLA, Oregon and Mississippi State, although he has also said on social media that his recruitment remains open.
Additionally, some recent media reports have stated that Adams could end up making another list cut before all is said and done.
Lately, Adams has disclosed newer scholarship offers from college squads such as Mike Hopkins-led Washington, Tennessee, Kansas State, Xavier, Arkansas, defending national champion Kansas, Indiana, Southern California and UCLA.
https://twitter.com/marcusadams21/status/1624945643176488968?cxt=HHwWkMDTjYDd-4wtAAAA
Right after the Bruins officially offered Adams, DeSanti described UCLA as “Marcus’ dream school.”
DeSanti also previously told me that he believed Adams’ final decision would come down to Syracuse basketball and UCLA, but that conversation took place before many of these other new offers rolled in.
DeSanti has said that Marcus Adams Jr. is considering other official visits in the near future, and Adams might also consider taking an unofficial visit to the Orange. Stay tuned regarding that.
Late last week, DeSanti said that Adams is potentially eyeing a commitment announcement in mid-April.
On February 14, high-school hoops analyst Alex Karamanos said via Twitter that Adams told him Syracuse basketball, UCLA and Mississippi State are reaching out the most in his recruitment these days.
2024 4 ⭐️ Marcus Adams (@marcusadams21) has picked up some major offers in the past week
— Alex Karamanos (@TheCircuitAlex) February 14, 2023
Recently, Adams tells me that Syracuse, UCLA, and Mississippi State reach out the most pic.twitter.com/SQQAIc8s4C
Now, Adams’ recruitment could have way a way to go. More impressive offers could arrive for him. I’m in no way declaring the Orange the prevailing suitor for Adams.
That being said, even with all of these recent offers, I still think that UCLA is the biggest threat to the ‘Cuse winning out. And I believe Syracuse basketball has a great chance to ultimately land a commitment from Marcus Adams Jr., who has the option to be a member of either the 2023 or the 2024 recruiting class.