Syracuse basketball coaches have offered scholarships to at least eight prospects in the 2026 class, while showing interest in other high school sophomores, according to recruiting services, media reports and my own sources.
Now, the contact period for the 2026 cycle will open up on June 15 of this year, meaning that college coaches, including the 'Cuse staff, at that time will be able to start initiating direct communication with rising high school juniors.
It's not a given, but it is likely that Orange coaches will end up offering additional 2026 prospects once that contact period opens up.
In any event, recruiting service and media outlet ESPN recently published its updated national rankings of the top-60 players in the 2026 class. Several 'Cuse targets are high up in these refreshed ratings.
2026 ESPN 60 per @PaulBiancardi 🤩 pic.twitter.com/cntYX7rddv
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) April 24, 2024
Where Syracuse basketball recruits find themselves in new 2026 national rankings.
Alex Constanza
Guard/small forward out of the Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Has an interest in visiting Syracuse basketball at some point, his dad has told me
Updated ESPN Rankings: 5 stars, No. 3 overall, No. 1 at small forward and No. 1 in Florida
Jordan Smith Jr.
Shooting guard out of the St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va.
Has told analysts that he plans to visit the Orange soon
Updated ESPN Rankings: 5 stars, No. 9 overall, No. 2 at shooting guard and No. 1 in Virginia
Maximo Adams
Small forward out of Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, Calif.
His AAU coach has told me in the past that Adams is interested in visiting the 'Cuse, assuming SU continues to recruit him
Updated ESPN Rankings: 4 stars, No. 21 overall, No. 7 at small forward and No. 5 in California
Deron Rippey Jr.
Point guard out of the Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J.
Took an unofficial visit to the Orange in late February of this year; Rippey is interested in taking an official visit to Syracuse basketball, his dad has told me
Updated ESPN Rankings: 4 stars, No. 40 overall, No. 8 at point guard and No. 4 in New Jersey
In addition to these four 2026 recruits, 'Cuse coaches have also offered:
Neiko Mundey
Four-star point guard out of the Shabach Christian Academy in Landover, Md.
Took an unofficial visit to the 'Cuse in late August of last year for the team's annual Elite Camp
Ranked No. 52 overall, No. 6 at point guard and No. 3 in Maryland, per 247Sports
Imahri Wooten
Four-star wing out of Putnam Science Academy in Putnam, Conn.
Took an unofficial visit to the Hill last October; Wooten wants to officially visit Syracuse basketball at some point, his dad has told me
Ranked No. 37 overall, No. 12 at small forward and No. 1 in Connecticut, per 247Sports
Prince-Alexander Moody
Four-star guard out of Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Md.
Went on an unofficial visit to the 'Cuse last August for the Orange's Elite Camp
Ranked No. 65 nationally, No. 18 at shooting guard and No. 4 in Maryland, per 247Sports
Anthony Brown
Point guard out of the St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va.
Unofficially visited SU in late August of 2023 for the team's Elite Camp