Syracuse basketball one of top schools for 4-star big man who just visited

Fast-rising 2025 four-star big man Matthew Gilhool from the Philadelphia area took an official visit to Syracuse basketball this past weekend, and that trip went well, he says in an interview.

In fact, at this juncture in his recruiting process, the 6-foot-11 power forward/center told SyracuseOnSI publisher Mike McAllister that the Orange is one of his top options, at least for the time being.

Gilhool, a top-70 national prospect in the junior class per multiple recruiting services, picked up a scholarship offer from the ‘Cuse toward the end of August, around the time that he competed in the team’s annual Elite Camp.

Late last month, amid the fall recruiting period, social media posts stated that Orange associate head coach Gerry McNamara was in attendance for Gilhool during an open gym at his high school. Soon thereafter, Gilhool took his official visit to the Hill, and it appears he’s emerged as a priority recruit for the ‘Cuse coaching staff in the 2025 cycle.

Four-star big man Matthew Gilhool is high on Syracuse basketball.

Gilhool, whose first official visit was to the Orange, attends the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia. Over the summer, word broke that he would reclassify from the 2024 to the 2025 cycle.

He earned high marks from national analysts and scouts for his play on the AAU circuit in recent months, suiting up for the Philadelphia-based Philly Pride in the Under Armour Association league.

Besides Syracuse basketball, Gilhool’s growing offer list includes suitors such as Maryland, Bryant, Miami, Mississippi State, Penn State, Rutgers, Temple, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati, Fairfield, Iona, St. John’s, West Virginia, Marshall and Pittsburgh.

McAllister wrote in his piece that, at this time, Gilhool doesn’t have other official visits scheduled. He also doesn’t have a timetable for potentially making a college decision. As a junior in high school, his recruitment could have a way to go.

That being said, ‘Cuse players and coaches made a strong impression on Gilhool during his recent official visit to Central New York.

On his trip, he got to bond with SU players and coaches. He observed practices conducted by first-year head coach Adrian Autry. Gilhool checked out the Syracuse University campus and the basketball facilities, and he was in attendance for the Syracuse football home game against Clemson.

Gilhool, an athletic and versatile big man, says that Orange coaches are telling him that his skill set fits in well with the team’s playing style, and that appeals to Gilhool.

He said in part to McAllister, “I definitely put Syracuse as one my favorites right now. It was a really nice visit. I really appreciate them for having my family come up. It was a nice time.”

Last weekend, in addition to Gilhool, Syracuse basketball coaches welcomed two other high-school prospects on official visits. They were 2024 commit Donnie Freeman, a four-star power forward from Washington, D.C., and 2025 target Derek Dixon, a four-star combo guard also from our nation’s capital.

When I penned this column, 247Sports rated Gilhool, within the 2025 class, at No. 69 nationally, No. 15 at power forward and No. 3 in Pennsylvania. On3 updated its 2025 national ratings on Monday, putting Gilhool at No. 59 overall, No. 10 at power forward and No. 3 in Pennsylvania.