Syracuse Basketball: 4-star Shon Abaev set to visit, 'really close' with Adrian Autry

Fast-rising 2025 four-star wing Shon Abaev from Florida, who will take an official visit to Syracuse basketball later this month, says that he has forged a strong relationship with Orange head coach Adrian Autry.

That's encouraging to hear and pivotal if the 'Cuse hopes to prevail for the 6-foot-8 Abaev, who said in a recent interview that his connection with a head coach will prove a big factor in where he ultimately plays in college.

Abaev, listed on recruiting Web sites as a small forward, is a versatile prospect, as he can suit up at the guard positions as well as out on the wing as a small forward. He's an elite scorer, evidenced by how he destroyed the competition during the most recent AAU season.

Playing at the Under Armour Next Elite 24 showcase this past Saturday night in Brooklyn, N.Y., an event that aired on ESPNU, Abaev was lights-out, tallying 22 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists while notching MVP honors.

Numerous national analysts and scouts dished out a ton of praise to Abaev, who is already starting to receive some future NBA Draft buzz. A top-40 national prospect in the 2025 cycle, Abaev is likely to see his rankings further climb, and he could make a run at five-star status, some experts say.

Syracuse basketball will soon welcome 2025 4-star wing Shon Abaev on an official visit.

In a recent article by top writer Charlie Parent on zagsblog.com, Abaev had this to say about the 'Cuse. "It’s a good relationship. I’m really close with the coach, Coach Red . He's a great guy, great coach, and played in the NBA. He's given me great advice not just as a player but as a person as well."

Abaev, who secured an Orange scholarship offer in late April of this year, is a rising senior at the Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. This spring and summer, he displayed his tremendous scoring prowess as a standout for the 17U team of the Pembroke Pines, Fla.-based SOH Elite in the Under Armour Association ("UAA") league.

In May, amid an NCAA live period on the various AAU circuits, Autry was in attendance for Abaev, according to posts on X from recruiting analysts.

Abaev's full offer sheet totals more than 20 and includes college squads such as Maryland, Cincinnati, Mississippi State, Xavier, Missouri, Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, Arizona State, Auburn, Creighton, Dayton, Florida, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kansas, LSU, St. John's, Southern California, UCF and USF, among others.

Abaev has previously taken official visits to Georgia, Arizona State, Oregon and Tennessee. Word recently broke that he has scheduled six upcoming official visits, including a trip to the Hill from August 30 to August 31.

In a recent interview with Rivals.com national analyst Jason Jordan, Abaev said, "I’m excited to start my visits and see what all of the schools are like. I think the biggest factor for me will be the connection with the head coach. I want to feel like it’s more than just basketball with me and him. I know how important it is to have that bond with the head coach, so that’s something that I really need to be comfortable."

Following Abaev's performance at the Under Armour Next Elite 24 event, 247Sports national basketball director Eric Bossi wrote in part that Abaev's "play at Elite 24 was basically a continuation of his previous stellar play where he took things up another notch. ... Always known for his ability to stretch defenses with his shooting, Abaev's rise has a lot to do with his expanded game off the dribble and his elevated focus on making plays for others. That was all on full display as he nearly put together a triple double during the game. He drove to the rim, he whipped passes all over the floor and he played the game like winning really mattered to him. It was a fitting end to a strong three days of work from the scorer."

To date, the Orange has one commitment in its 2025 class. In late May, five-star forward and top-20 national prospect Sadiq White Jr. verbally pledged to Syracuse basketball.

'Cuse coaches are in pursuit of several other top-flight players in the rising senior class, including Abaev. He continues to ascend in this cycle, and the competition for the Orange to prevail is intense.

At the same time, it's encouraging that he will take an official visit to Syracuse basketball in late August, and Abaev's close relationship with Autry is a huge positive for the Orange's chances here.