Syracuse Basketball: Deep dive on Peach Jam for commit, 5-star recruits

A Syracuse basketball commit and various recruiting targets wrapped up their play at the annual Peach Jam tournament a few days ago, as Nike’s EYBL league crowned champions in its 17U, 16U and 15U divisions, as well as its Peach Invitational Tournament (PIT).

This past Sunday, playing on ESPNU, Orange 2024 four-star commit Donnie Freeman helped guide the Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover to the 17U title. The 6-foot-9 power forward was also named by The Circuit to its All-Peach Jam first team for his performances at the week-long event from the Riverview Park Activities Center in North Augusta, S.C.

Also in the 17U division, Syracuse basketball priority target Jalil Bethea, a five-star guard, was included on The Circuit’s All-Peach Jam first squad. The 6-foot-4 Bethea was a key contributor as the Philadelphia-based Team Final reached the Peach Jam quarterfinals after winning the EYBL regular-season championship.

In addition to Freeman and Bethea, numerous ‘Cuse recruits put together solid outings at Peach Jam in the three main divisions as well as the PIT. Based on data available on the EYBL Web site, I’m detailing below statistics for Freeman and Orange targets in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 classes who hold scholarship offers from the ‘Cuse.

Let’s see how a Syracuse basketball commit and a bunch of recruits fared at Peach Jam.

2024 Class

Donnie Freeman (Syracuse basketball commit)
Four-star power forward
Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover, 8-0 in 17U
12.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game
46.1 percent from the field, 40.0 percent from deep and 68.0 percent from the charity stripe

Jalil Bethea
Five-star guard
Philadelphia-based Team Final, 4-2 in 17U
18.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game
50.0 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from deep and 90.0 percent from the charity stripe

Mikey Lewis
Four-star point guard
Oakland, Calif.-based Oakland Soldiers, 7-2 in PIT
23.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game
42.9 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from deep and 72.1 percent from the charity stripe

2025 Class

Kiyan Anthony
Four-star shooting guard
Baltimore-based Team Melo, 1-4 in 17U
7.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game
33.3 percent from the field, 20.0 percent from deep and 72.7 percent from the charity stripe

Darius Adams
Four-star combo guard
Bronx, N.Y.-based PSA Cardinals, 2-3 in 16U
17.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game
41.2 percent from the field, 39.3 percent from deep and 72.0 percent from the charity stripe

Brandon Stores Jr.
Four-star wing
New York City-based NY Renaissance, 0-4 in 16U
16.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game
41.0 percent from the field, 16.7 percent from deep and 88.2 percent from the charity stripe

Jerry Easter II
Five-star point guard
Columbus, Ohio-based All Ohio Red, 4-4 in PIT
22.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game
44.9 percent from the field, 27.8 percent from deep and 63.2 percent from the charity stripe

Sadiq White
Five-star forward
Charlotte, N.C.-based Team United, 6-3 in 17U/PIT
4.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game
52.9 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from the charity stripe

Derek Dixon
Four-star combo guard
Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover, 1-3 in 16U
16.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game
39.6 percent from the field, 34.6 percent from deep and 83.3 percent from the charity stripe

2026 Class

Maximo Adams
Small forward
Los Angeles-based Team Why Not, 1-3 in 15U
17.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game
57.8 percent from the field, 25.0 percent from deep and 73.7 percent from the charity stripe

Jordan Smith Jr.
Five-star shooting guard
Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover, 1-3 in 16U
3.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game
55.6 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from deep and 33.3 percent from the charity stripe