The analyst buzz is pointing toward Syracuse basketball, hopefully, hearing its name called on Friday for long-time priority recruit Kiyan Anthony from New York City.
The 2025 four-star shooting guard, who is the son of Orange legend, long-time NBA star and future Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony, is officially down to a final three of Syracuse basketball, Big Ten Conference member Southern California and Auburn out of the Southeastern Conference.
However, the chatter is that the 6-foot-5 Kiyan Anthony will ultimately choose between the 'Cuse and the Trojans. He's officially visited both of those suitors, but not the Tigers.
When I wrote this column on Tuesday, there were at least five projections in the Orange's direction for Anthony between Rivals.com and the On3 Web site. These sorts of predictions aren't always accurate, however, I do believe that the 'Cuse will prevail for Anthony.
Anthony is planning to make his commitment announcement on Friday, Nov. 15, via his dad's show, 7PM in Brooklyn.
Assuming Kiyan Anthony pledges to 'Cuse, Syracuse basketball could have a top-10 class in 2025.
Naturally, we'll have to wait until Friday to see if the 'Cuse is the winner in the recruiting battle for Anthony. But with encouraging signs in the Orange's favor, if Syracuse basketball does land a verbal commitment from Anthony, here is what that means for the team's 2025 class.
Most recruiting services, within the senior cycle, have Anthony in the top 35 nationwide, the top 10 at shooting guard and the No. 1 prospect coming out of New York state. Currently, his highest national ranking is from On3, at No. 30.
Should this standout from Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, N.Y., verbally pledge to the Orange, he would join three other high school prospects who are also verbally committed to the program in the 2025 class.
They are forward Sadiq White Jr. from Charlotte, N.C., wing Aaron Womack from the Milwaukee area, and guard Luke Fennell from Melbourne, Australia. White, of the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., is rated five stars and No. 15 nationally, according to ESPN.
Womack, out of of Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay, Wis., is ranked three stars, in the top 275 nationally per the 247Sports Composite and the On3 Industry Ranking, and the No. 30 small forward via On3.
As I noted in a column this week, Fennell, who is suiting up in the 2024-25 season for the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the National Basketball League ("NBL"), has moved to four stars, No. 124 overall, No. 23 at shooting guard and No. 3 in Australia, per 247Sports.
With strong senior campaigns, I believe that Fennell and Womack will continue to see their 2025 ratings climb. White is a contender for five stars from virtually every recruiting service, and he has a good shot to play in All-America showcases next spring.
For context, the Orange's three-member 2025 cycle is currently No. 16 from the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, No. 25 from Rivals.com, and No. 56 on the On3 Web site. Yet if Anthony commits and these other verbal pledges experience further ranking bumps, a hypothetical four-member Syracuse basketball class in 2025 could make a run for the top 10 around the country.