This week, two new sets of national team rankings in high school hoops were disclosed, and there are numerous recruiting connections to Syracuse basketball.
Jordan Divens, the national basketball editor at MaxPreps, released a national top 25 that only includes high school and prep programs that compete for state-affiliated championships.
The Circuit, separately, released its national top 30, and this set of rankings includes high school and prep teams, along with independent basketball academies that don’t compete for state-affiliated titles and squads that suit up in the Atlanta-based professional league Overtime Elite.
The Circuit’s Top 30 @HSCircuit Rankings: Vol. 2 📊
— The Circuit (@TheCircuit) December 26, 2023
🥇 Montverde Eagles (FL) | 14-0
🥈 Paul VI Panthers (VA) | 8-1
🥉 Prolific Prep Crew (CA) | 16-1
4⃣ LuHi Crusaders (NY) | 8-1
5⃣ OTE City Reapers | 6-1
Full rankings ⤵️https://t.co/EW9lUnrX92 pic.twitter.com/f0AFKSyWyu
Between both sets of rankings, I’m counting at least nine prospects who compete for groups that arrived in these national ratings and hold scholarship offers from the Orange coaching staff.
Syracuse basketball targets play for highly ranked teams.
St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va.
No. 1 in the MaxPreps top 25 and No. 2 in The Circuit top 30
Two St. Paul VI players have offers from the ‘Cuse. They are 2026 five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr., who was offered in early May, and 2026 point guard Anthony Brown, who was offered in late August.
Oak Ridge, St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy crack MaxPreps Top 25. 🏀
— MaxPreps (@MaxPreps) December 27, 2023
Paul VI remains No. 1 despite loss to Montverde Academy in City of Palms Classic semifinals. 🔥
✍️: https://t.co/6lVRUDNCBQ pic.twitter.com/GrvM3k9eSi
Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, N.Y.
No. 4 in The Circuit top 30
Two backcourt teammates at Long Island Lutheran are 2025 four-star shooting guard Kiyan Anthony and 2025 four-star point guard Nigel James. Both have officially visited the Orange. Syracuse basketball offered Anthony in November of 2022, while James picked up his ‘Cuse offer in late August.
I've been told that over the weekend in the @CityOfPalmsBKB title game, Syracuse assistant @coach_griffin1 was in attendance to watch @LuHiBasketball battle Montverde. SU 4-star recruits @kiyananthony (SG) and @nigel_j24 (PG) play for LuHi. Both have officially visited 'Cuse. 🧡
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) December 25, 2023
Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C.
No. 5 in the MaxPreps top 25 and No. 15 in The Circuit top 30
Derek Dixon is a star for Gonzaga. The 2025 four-star combo guard was offered by Syracuse basketball in mid-June, and toward the end of September, he went on an official visit to the Orange.
Myers Park High School in Charlotte, N.C.
No. 6 in the MaxPreps top 25 and No. 18 in The Circuit top 30
One of the top players at Myers Park is 2025 four-star forward Sadiq White Jr., who was offered by the ‘Cuse in late April and went on an unofficial visit to Syracuse basketball in mid-September.
St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Conn.
No. 20 in The Circuit top 30
London Jemison, a 2025 four-star small forward, attends St. Thomas More. He was offered by the ‘Cuse in late September and plans to take an official visit to the Hill this weekend.
IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
No. 22 in The Circuit top 30
One of the standouts for IMG is senior Donnie Freeman, a 2024 four-star power forward who is officially signed to play for Syracuse basketball next season.
New Hampton School in New Hampton, N.H.
No. 30 in The Circuit top 30
Keyshuan Tillery is off to a hot start in his junior season at the New Hampton School. He’s a 2025 three-star point guard, and Tillery picked up an Orange offer in late August, around the time that he took an unofficial visit to Central New York to compete in the team’s annual Elite Camp.