Syracuse Basketball: New PG target in D.C. market ‘high feel for the game’

New Syracuse basketball 2026 recruit Anthony Brown, a future four-star or five-star point guard in his class, is one of the latest top-flight prospects out of the talent-rich Washington, D.C., area to land a scholarship offer from the Orange.

In recent days, the 6-foot-1 Brown said on X that he was offered by the ‘Cuse coaching staff. Last weekend, he was among numerous 2025 and 2026 players to participate in the team’s annual Elite Camp, and by my count, at least five of those attendees have since picked up Orange offers.

Brown is a star guard in the making out of the D.C. market, experts say. He is a sophomore at the powerhouse St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va., and in the most recent AAU season, Brown earned high marks in the spring and summer while competing for the 15U squad of the D.C.-based Team Takeover in Nike’s EYBL league.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t note here that Syracuse basketball head coach Adrian Autry and assistant coach Brenden Straughn both previously served as assistants with the Team Takeover program, and Autry also was an assistant coach at St. Paul VI back in the day.

Experts weigh in on new Syracuse basketball target Anthony Brown, a 2026 point guard.

"Colby Giacubeno, a top recruiting analyst and scout in the D.C. and Baltimore corridor, was kind enough to recently share some thoughts with me about Brown. Giacubeno said that Brown “has an extremely high feel for the game. He makes some of the most impressive reads that I’ve seen from a kid his age, both as a passer and scorer. He knocks down three’s, controls the pace and brings an edge defensively. He’s next in line to be the next great guard to come out of the PVI/TTO programs.”"

To date, per his X page and recruiting services, Brown’s offer sheet includes the ‘Cuse, Norfolk State, George Mason and Providence. That list will significantly grow. For one, his recruiting process has a way to go. Secondly, college coaches can’t initiate direct communication with 2026 prospects until June 15 of next year, so Brown has plenty of time to see his offer sheet balloon.

At this juncture, the ‘Cuse coaching staff has offered at least five players in the 2026 class. One of those Orange targets in the sophomore cycle is five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr., who was offered by Syracuse basketball in early May. Smith, by the way, also goes to St. Paul VI and is a member of the Team Takeover program.

Among others, ‘Cuse junior forward Benny Williams and sophomore wing Justin Taylor ran with Team Takeover while in high school. In early July, Syracuse basketball 2024 four-star commit Donnie Freeman was a key contributor as Team Takeover’s 17U group won a coveted Peach Jam title on the EYBL circuit.

At Peach Jam, Brown averaged 21.7 minutes, 10.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, according to the EYBL Web site.

In mid-June, the X account known as Point Guard Eyes, a scouting analyst with Cerebro Sports, wrote that Brown “is supremely skilled. A true PG who plays w/ a balanced blend of playmaking, intelligence, & showmanship. Shows the ability to spot-up or create his own off the bounce. Fantastic vision – sees the play before it develops. Plays w/ excellent pace.”

Most recruiting services have yet to publish 2026 national rankings, but as they do, I envision Brown as a high four-star or five-star player.

In 2022-23, St. Paul VI finished as a top-10 national team, earning a berth in this spring’s GEICO Nationals and tallying a 31-4 record.

Samad Hines, a high-school hoops analyst, recently updated his preseason top 25 ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. He placed St. Paul VI at No. 6 across the country.