Late last month, Inside the Loud House spoke to numerous high school basketball analysts, scouts and coaches to get a sense of which programs are most likely to compete for a national title in the upcoming campaign.
Some of the teams mentioned, as Inside the Loud House reported, feature rosters with Syracuse basketball recruits on them.
— MADE Hoops (@madehoops) September 16, 2026
Last week, high school basketball organization MADE Hoops published its preseason top 25 ahead of the 2026-27 season, and at least nine teams in these rankings include an Orange target on their rosters. This echoes the sentiment of Inside the Loud House's previous reporting that SU recruits will be in the mix to cut down the nets at the season-ending Chipotle Nationals in Fishers, Ind., come next April.
Syracuse basketball targets are playing for powerhouse high school programs this coming season.
No. 1: Spire Academy in Geneva, Ohio
A recent transfer to Spire is 2027 five-star wing/small forward Moussa Kamissoko, who is a priority recruit for the Orange in this class. He took an official visit to the Hill earlier this month, and the SU staff has been in for him at least twice of late during open gyms at Spire.
No. 2: Prolific Prep in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The 'Cuse staff has been pushing hard for 2027 five-star point guard Nasir Anderson, although it's not clear to Inside the Loud House whether Syracuse remains a contender for him. The Orange recently offered 2028 five-star point guard Michai White.
No. 4: IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
Syracuse basketball was recently at an open gym hosted by the Ascenders to watch 2028 five-star wing/small forward Will Brunson, who holds an offer from the new 'Cuse staff under first-year head coach Gerry McNamara.
No. 5: Southeastern Preparatory Academy in Orlando, Fla.
Ka'Shawn Gill, a 2028 four-star combo guard, has transferred to Southeastern Prep for the 2026-27 season. The Orange offered him a scholarship in July.
No. 6: AZ Compass Prep School in Chandler, Ariz.
As the fall recruiting period opened on September 9, the 'Cuse staff was in attendance at AZ Compass Prep's Pro Day. A source tells Inside the Loud House that Syracuse may evaluate 2028 four-star guard Darren Ford.
No. 9: CIA Bella Vista in Phoenix
SU 2027 priority target Ahmed Nur, a four-star wing/forward, will spend his senior year with the Bears, which won last season's high school national title. He officially visited the 'Cuse in late August. Syracuse basketball has offered a trio of 2028 prospects at CIA Bella Vista. They are four-star forward Isaiah Clarke, five-star point guard Liam Mitakaro and four-star forward Settimo Yugu.
No. 10: Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla.
Earlier this month, the Syracuse basketball staff was at a Montverde open gym to watch two 2028 five-star wings. They are Canadian Isaiah Hamilton and DMV native Xavier Skipworth. Last season, the Eagles finished as the No. 2 high school team nationally.
No. 11: Iowa United Prep in Des Moines, Iowa
At the beginning of September, word came out that 2028 five-star wing Kevin Wheatley Jr. was transferring to Iowa United Prep. He has an offer from the 'Cuse and took an unofficial visit to SU last December.
No. 18: Christopher Columbus High School in Miami
Tai Bell, a 2028 five-star point guard, has transferred to Columbus for his junior season. McNamara and his staff have re-offered Bell, who took an unofficial visit to Syracuse basketball this past March. Inside the Loud House is told that he's interested in potentially visiting the 'Cuse again.
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