In the most recent campaign, Syracuse basketball mightily struggled on defense. And when it came to blocking shots, the Orange hovered not too far from the basement of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Based on the team's 2025 recruiting class, both at the prep level and via the transfer portal, it seems that Syracuse basketball coaches are intent on landing power forwards and centers who are extremely athletic and can protect the rim with greater efficiency.
While newly offered big man Isaiah Hill is only heading into his junior season of high school, the 7-foot prospect is already gaining a lot of high praise from national analysts and scouts for his keen ability to block shots.
Hill, on May 20, said that he had picked up a scholarship offer from Orange assistant coach Allen Griffin. Last weekend, Griffin and other 'Cuse coaches were watching recruits on the AAU circuit amid an NCAA-permitted live period.
Syracuse basketball has entered the recruiting mix for big man Isaiah Hill.
Hill is a 2027 four-star big man who resides in the top 60 overall, per On3. Both 247Sports and On3 rate him as a top-10 power forward/center in his class. At the time of this writing, the industry-generated On3 Industry Ranking placed Hill at No. 79 nationwide in the 2027 cycle.
He is a rising junior at Pike High School in Indianapolis. In the 2024-25 stanza, per the MaxPreps Web site, Hill averaged 10.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 67 percent from the field.
In grassroots hoops this spring and summer, he is suiting up for the 16U team of Indy Heat in Nike's EYBL league. This past weekend, as the Nike-sponsored circuit was in Memphis, Tenn., Hill averaged 6.5 points, 6 rebounds, 5 blocks and 2 assists per contest while making 54.5 percent from the field.
According to recruiting services and his X page, Hill has offers from Purdue and TCU as well. College coaches can start directly contacting 2027 prospects on June 15, so I'm sure that Hill will see his offer sheet significantly expand soon.
Besides Hill, other 2027 players who have scored Syracuse basketball scholarship offers include four-star power forward/center Caleb Ourigou, five-star forward Baba Oladotun, five-star center Paul Osaruyi, five-star wing Moussa Kamissoko and five-star power forward Zion Green.
Congrats on your 'Cuse offer, Isaiah!