Syracuse Basketball: 4-star Kiyan Anthony, 5-star recruits ball out in AAU

In recent days, various Syracuse basketball recruiting targets, including Kiyan Anthony, have put forth some impressive performances at AAU events in Las Vegas and elsewhere.

I haven’t come across a lot of full box scores from these various showcases, however, social media posts and media reports from recruiting experts have provided a bit of insight into how these Orange recruits have fared.

Among the AAU events that have transpired lately are the Las Vegas Big Time, the Sportradar Showdown in Henderson, Nev., the Ultimate Club Championship in Las Vegas, the DMV Summer Finale in District Heights, Md., and the Hoop Group Summer Finale in Manheim Pa., among others.

Some of the ‘Cuse targets playing in these events, at least as far as I can tell, have included Anthony, a 2025 four-star shooting guard, 2024 five-star guard Jalil Bethea, 2025 five-star point guard Tyler Jackson, 2026 five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr. and 2025 five-star wing Joson Sanon, along with Orange 2024 commit Elijah Moore, a four-star shooting guard.

https://twitter.com/EliteHSscouting/status/1680100224768028672

Syracuse basketball four-star and five-star recruits are balling out at AAU events.

Moore, who verbally committed to the ‘Cuse in late January, and Bethea, who is a high-priority target for Syracuse basketball in the rising-senior class, have been suiting up at the Ultimate Club Championship.

Moore plays for the Bronx, N.Y.-based Wiz Kids in the Adidas 3SSB league, while Bethea is a standout for the Philadelphia-based Team Final in Nike’s EYBL league.

"Eric Bossi, the national basketball director for 247Sports, wrote in a piece, “During a hard-fought Friday win over a very game Breakaway Basketball team, there were some moments where Bethea decided that he just wasn’t having it with them hanging around and took over offensively. … The way he gets to his spots, his craft and skill around the hoop and his growing explosiveness and playmaking ability are turning him into a very complete two guard. He still needs to get a bit stronger, but the goods are all there.”"

Anthony, at the Las Vegas Big Time, has been competing for the Los Angeles-based Team Strive For Greatness in Nike’s EYBL league, alongside 2025 four-star shooting guard Bryce James, who is the son of NBA superstar LeBron James.

https://twitter.com/SLAM_HS/status/1680307141083795456

In one game, Anthony had a really impressive outing, as he collected 24 points, six rebounds and four assists in a win for Team Strive For Greatness. Anthony was offered by the Orange last November and has said he plans to officially visit Syracuse basketball at some point this fall.

Jackson, offered a scholarship by the ‘Cuse in late April, has also said he plans to take an official visit to the Hill in the near future. Not too long ago, he won a 16U AAU title in the Under Armour Association league with the Baltimore-based Team Thrill.

More recently, Jackson has suited up for Team Thrill in the Sportradar Showdown. Per box scores provided by this event’s Web site, in his first four games, Jackson has generated 14 points, 18 points, eight points and 12 points.

In May, Syracuse basketball offered Smith, who runs with the Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover in Nike’s EYBL league. Smith’s Team Takeover group has been playing in the DMV Summer Finale.

In one contest, he led Team Takeover with 15 points in a strong comeback victory. Recruiting insider and scout Colby Giacubeno, in a tweet, praised Smith’s effective scoring and passing while in the paint.

The Orange coaching staff has reportedly shown interest in Sanon, who competes for the Boston-based Expressions Elite in Nike’s EYBL league. Per a social media post, Sanon played quite well, scoring a game-high 20 points in leading Expressions Elite to a win at the Hoop Group Summer Finale.