When Calvin Russell lll verbally committed to Syracuse football on July 5 of last year, I first reported on that evening that the 6-foot-5, multi-sport star also planned to suit up for Syracuse basketball.
That may still happen, although SU officials aren't saying anything definitive at this point. Russell is a five-star wide receiver in the 2026 class out of Miami Northwestern Senior High School, which won a state title in the 2024 season and finished as the runner-up in the most recent campaign's Class 3A playoffs in the Sunshine State.
On the hardwood, as I've noted in several articles, Russell is a dynamic, underrated guard/small forward. You can read more about his hoops skillset here.
BREAKING: I'm told by a source that as part of his commitment to play for Syracuse football, 2026 5-star WR Calvin Russell III (@14gump_) of @mnw_fb has also pledged to play for Syracuse basketball. He's an excellent hooper for @MNW_Bulls1955. 🧡
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) July 6, 2025
We should have more clarity soon on Calvin Russell lll's plans with Syracuse basketball.
Russell is enrolling at Syracuse University for the spring semester, and the first day of classes is on Monday, Jan. 12. This week, I asked a Syracuse basketball spokesperson if Russell would be joining Orange hoops once classes begin on January 12.
The spokesperson's response: "Those details are being worked out. I should have more information once the semester begins."
Russell's agent is Justin Giangrande, the founder and CEO of the Los Angeles-based NETWORK. Recently, I sent several text messages to Giangrande and his assistant, asking about Russell's status with the Syracuse basketball team. Those text messages weren't returned.
In late December, a source told me that it was possible Russell could join 'Cuse hoops for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, but it didn't appear then that a final decision had been made. For what it's worth, Syracuse basketball's first game after the spring semester commences is at the JMA Wireless Dome on Tuesday, Jan. 13, against Florida State.
DART. According to an Instagram post, Syracuse football 2026 signee Calvin Russell III (@14gump_), a 5-star WR out of @mnw_fb, has been named the 2025 South Florida player of the year. 🧡🧡
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) January 8, 2026
Within the 2026 high school football class, 247Sports places Russell as five stars, No. 23 overall, No. 2 at wide receiver and No. 2 in Florida. He is Syracuse football's highest-ranked commit in more than two decades. Russell verbally committed to the Orange over the summer, with the other finalists being Florida State, Michigan and Oregon.
For its 2025-26 season, Syracuse basketball has 13 main scholarship players, along with sophomore guard Noah Lobdell. Following the House settlement, Division I basketball programs can now have up to 15 scholarship players.
That being said, Russell doesn't need a scholarship in hoops. What's more, if I'm being honest, assuming he does join Syracuse basketball next week, Russell could start practicing with the team and sit on the bench. But I'd be surprised if he played in any games, at least for a while.