Syracuse basketball 4-star, 5-star targets start off big AAU weekend in big-time way
By Neil Adler
![Syracuse basketball 2025 4-star and 5-star recruits have kicked off a big AAU weekend with some tremendous performances. Syracuse basketball 2025 4-star and 5-star recruits have kicked off a big AAU weekend with some tremendous performances.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3673,h_2066,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/177/01j2m65nyptm74xzgz4g.jpg)
Syracuse basketball four-star and five-star recruits in the 2025 class have put up some monster performances amid an NCAA live period through the weekend on the various shoe-sponsored AAU circuits.
It's arguably the most frenetic, and exciting, time of the current AAU term, with college coaches in attendance and AAU leagues heading toward the finish line with their season-ending playoffs. The main emphasis is typically on the 17U division, which includes rising high school seniors in the 2025 class, as well as some rising juniors in the 2026 cycle who are playing up a division.
The annual Peach Jam tournament on Nike's EYBL circuit doesn't get fully into swing until Saturday, with this event running from July 13 to July 21 in North Augusta, S.C.
However, the Adidas 3SSB league is already commencing its season-ending playoffs, which take place through July 14 in Rock Hill, S.C. Over at the Under Armour Association ("UAA") circuit, it is currently holding a third session through July 14 in Georgia, followed by its season-ending tournament from July 19 to July 21 in Illinois.
PRO16 Finals Schedule
— PRO16/NXT League (@PRO16League) July 3, 2024
Phoenix, AZ
July 11-14
Arizona Athletic Grounds
Schedule➡️ https://t.co/dj2WshZoW9
College Coach Sign Up➡️ https://t.co/M6an7axsL0#PRO16Family pic.twitter.com/JkeIra0Vn8
The PUMA-sponsored PRO16 league is also in the midst of its season-ending playoffs, which are being held in the Phoenix area and culminate on July 14. The two NCAA live periods where college coaches can watch recruits in person during these AAU competitions are from July 11 to July 14, and from July 19 to July 21.
Let's check out some AAU performances by Syracuse basketball targets.
Shon Abaev, a 2025 four-star wing/small forward and a top-30 national prospect, has kicked off his play in the UAA league with a bang. He's a standout with the Pembroke Pines, Fla.-based SOH Elite and received a scholarship offer from the Orange in late April of this year.
4⭐ Shon Abaev dropped 27 points to lead SOH Elite to a win on Day 1 of UAA Session 3 🔥@shon_abaev @soh_elite @UANextBHoops @UAbasketball pic.twitter.com/8VVou2AFjl
— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) July 11, 2024
According to posts on X, in two games for SOH Elite, Abaev has poured in 27 points and 20 points. In recent days, I've come across several media reports stating that he's eyeing a possible official visit to the 'Cuse at some point.
4⭐️ Shon Abaev dropped 20 points last night to lead his SOH Elite squad past 4⭐️ Mazi Mosley and West Coast Elite 🚨 @UAbasketball @UANextBHoops pic.twitter.com/ETPNR4mz3H
— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) July 12, 2024
Ryder Frost, a 2025 four-star wing and a top-100 national prospect, was offered by Syracuse basketball in late May and took an official visit to the Hill in late June. He is one of the leaders of the Boston-based Middlesex Magic on the UAA circuit.
Magic 17u UAA scores a HUGE 63-28 win over an Arizona Select team who had only 1 loss prior! Sam Hughes scored 18 points and Ryan Altman had 10 points and 7 rebounds to lead a balanced attack! #MagicFamily pic.twitter.com/G93lQ4LtGy
— Middlesex Magic (@MiddlesexMagic) July 12, 2024
Per a post on X from his AAU program, the Middlesex Magic scored an impressive win over one of the best teams in the UAA league this season. I haven't come across a box score for this contest, a 63-28 victory for Frost's squad.
Asher Elson, a 2025 four-star big man and a top-120 overall player in his class, had a breakout spring for the Bronx, N.Y.-based New York Gauchos in the 3SSB league, according to experts. He landed a 'Cuse offer in mid-April of this year.
Per box scores that I found online, in two triumphs for the Gauchos, Elson registered 12 points, two rebounds and two blocks in one encounter; in the second affair, he had six points, six boards, three blocks and two steals.
Just another day in the office for @chriscenacjr💥#PRO16Family | @PUMAHoops pic.twitter.com/AD006hMOOK
— PRO16/NXT League (@PRO16League) July 11, 2024
In early June, Syracuse basketball offered 2025 five-star big man and top-10 national prospect Chris Cenac Jr., who suits up for the Dallas-based YoungGameChangers in PUMA's PRO16 league. Per a post on X from that circuit, in one game, Cenac was impressive, tallying 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Next. Syracuse Basketball: 5-star Chris Cenac explodes in rankings, transfers to 2023 champs. Syracuse Basketball: 5-star Chris Cenac explodes in rankings, transfers to 2023 champs. dark