Former Syracuse basketball 5-star big-man target Nikola Bundalo reopens recruitment

Former Syracuse basketball 2025 five-star target Nikola Bundalo had recently been down to a final four of Michigan State, North Carolina, Ohio State and two-time defending national champion UConn.

But that doesn't appear to be the case any longer. The 6-foot-10 power forward, who did receive a scholarship offer from the Orange staff in May of 2023, apparently is reopening his recruitment, according to several recent comments by recruiting insiders.

Here's a recent post on X from the account HS Top Recruits: "Just got word on Bundalo. ... He will be reopening his recruitment fully. He will not be considering UConn, Ohio St or Michigan St. UNC is the only maybe but got a 'probably not.'"

Candidly, I have no idea whether the 'Cuse coaching staff may decide to pursue Bundalo, who is ranked as high as No. 17 nationally in the senior class by On3. Perhaps this is something to monitor, though.

Former Syracuse basketball target Nikola Bundalo has reopened his recruiting process.

Bundalo, a native of Ohio, is spending his senior season during the upcoming 2024-25 campaign at the powerhouse Prolific Prep in Napa Valley, Calif., which is one of the top high school programs around the country.

As a junior, Bundalo suited up for the Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio. Before that, he played for Green High School in Uniontown, Ohio. Per his bio on 247Sports, Bundalo has amassed more than 30 scholarship offers throughout his recruitment.

Back in August, 247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelstein published an in-depth evaluation of Bundalo. Finkelstein wrote in part: "Bundalo is an inside-out lefty four-man with good positional size, athleticism, and deceptive strength. He has good bounce around the rim, a great right hand, and while his frame doesn't boast a ton of visible muscle mass, he plays through contact fairly well. He's legit low-post scoring threat who understands angles and is especially effective sealing off defenders prior to the catch for easy buckets."

To date, the Orange staff has three verbal pledges in its 2025 class, from five-star forward Sadiq White Jr. from Charlotte, N.C., three-star wing Aaron Womack from the Milwaukee area, and three-star guard Luke Fennell from Melbourne, Australia.

There certainly could be positional overlap among White and Bundalo. I assume, at the collegiate level, White could play either the three or the four, while Bundalo perhaps is projected at the four or the five.

Beyond that, Syracuse basketball coaches remain heavily involved with 2025 four-star shooting guard Kiyan Anthony from New York City, who has the Orange in his final three and is eyeing a commitment announcement in early November.

Other high school prospects to monitor include 2025 four-star big man Asher Elson from New York City, who may visit the 'Cuse soon, and 2026 five-star guard/small forward Alex Constanza from Florida, who took an official visit to the Hill earlier this month and is considering a possible move to the 2025 cycle.