Fast-rising four-star big man Asher Elson from New York City, a long-time Syracuse basketball 2026 priority recruit, is ready to make his college decision. And his future college program is not expected to be the 'Cuse, I'm told.
According to a post on X from top national analyst Sam Kayser on Sunday afternoon, the 6-foot-10 Elson will make his commitment announcement on Wednesday, Nov. 19, which is the final day of the early signing period for 2026 prospects.
NEWS: 2026 4⭐️ Asher Elson is making his college announcement on Wednesday, November 19th, he told @LeagueRDY. Elson is down to four schools:
— Sam Kayser (@KayserHoops) November 16, 2025
Syracuse
Maryland
Auburn
Xavier
One of a few big commitments coming up within the next couple of days. pic.twitter.com/XH1HQV8Mur
Elson has a top four of Syracuse basketball, Auburn, Maryland and Xavier. He has officially visited all four of his finalists. Elson is spending the 2025-26 season competing in the Atlanta-based professional league Overtime Elite.
He was in Overtime Elite last year, too. Before that, in 2023-24, Elson was named to New York City's Public Schools Athletic League ("PSAL") 4A All-League first team after averaging 16 points and six rebounds per game for South Shore High School in Brooklyn, N.Y.
To date in Overtime Elite this season, Elson is averaging 10.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest while making 40.0 percent from the field. Over the spring and summer, Elson played well for the 17U team of the New York-based New Heights in the Adidas 3SSB league.
Syracuse basketball will not hear its name called for 2026 4-star big Asher Elson.
This past July, Elson and Syracuse basketball 2026 priority recruit Deron Rippey Jr., a five-star point guard also from New York City, helped lead New Heights to the quarterfinals of the season-ending Adidas 3SSB playoffs in Rock Hill, S.C.
The Orange staff offered a scholarship to Elson in April of 2024. He has spoken highly of his relationship with Syracuse basketball head coach Adrian Autry and assistant coach Allen Griffin, who was in for Elson this past September at Overtime Elite's fifth-annual pro day.
A month later, in October, Elson took an official visit to the Hill that went well. However, two sources told me on Sunday that the Orange will not be prevailing for Elson when he announces his college choice later this week. He is rated No. 133 nationally in the 2026 cycle, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
The top remaining 2026 targets for the 'Cuse, at this juncture, are Rippey and five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr. from the Washington, D.C., area.