Syracuse Basketball: Delving into match-ups for 4-star, 5-star recruits at Peach Jam

A week from today, the annual Peach Jam tournament on Nike's EYBL circuit will get underway, with numerous Syracuse basketball four-star and five-star recruits vying for the coveted crown.

In the main 17U division, Orange commit Sadiq White Jr. along with various other 'Cuse targets across the 2025 and 2026 classes are expected to compete, with Peach Jam running from July 13 to July 21 in North Augusta, S.C.

The field will include 24 teams, although several play-in games will take place on July 12 to help determine the entire bracket.

Last July, Syracuse basketball 2024 commit and incoming freshman Donnie Freeman, a five-star power forward from Washington, D.C., was a key contributor as his EYBL squad won Peach Jam in the 17U division.

Fast-forward to the present, and there are numerous squads in this summer's event with Orange recruiting ties that will be among the favorites to repeat what Freeman did a year ago.

Let's break down the initial match-ups for Syracuse basketball recruits at Peach Jam.

Here are the "pools" at Peach Jam with 'Cuse recruiting connections:
Pool A: Nightrydas Elite and City Rocks
Pool B: Team Takeover
Pool C: None
Pool D: Expressions Elite and Team United
Pool E (play-games): Team Final

Now I'll briefly discuss each squad and their Syracuse basketball ties, and then list below their initial games, per the EYBL Web site. Based on pool play, eight teams will advance to the quarterfinals on Saturday, July 20, with the quarters and semifinals occurring then. The championship game is scheduled for Sunday, July 21, beginning at 2:30 pm EST.

Nightrydas Elite, based in Miami, 14-1 record (EYBL regular season)
Dante Allen, a 2025 four-star shooting guard, picked up a scholarship offer from the 'Cuse in late April of this year.

Saturday, July 13, at 7:30 pm versus opponent TBD
Sunday, July 14, at 4:30 pm versus Arizona Unity
Monday, July 15, at 7:30 pm versus Boo Williams
Wednesday, July 17, at 3:00 pm versus Team Herro
Friday, July 19, at 10:30 am versus City Rocks

City Rocks, based in Albany, N.Y., 11-4 record
Two players hold offers from the 'Cuse, both of whom have unofficially visited the Hill. They are 2026 four-star wing Imahri Wooten and 2025 four-star point guard Keyshuan Tillery.

Saturday, July 13, at 6:00 pm versus Team Herro
Sunday, July 14, at 6:00 pm versus opponent TBD
Monday, July 15, at 6:00 pm versus Arizona Unity
Wednesday, July 17, at 6:00 pm versus Boo Williams
Friday, July 19, at 10:30 am versus Nightrydas Elite

Team Takeover, based in Washington, D.C., 14-1 record
Team Takeover's roster features 2026 five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr. and 2025 four-star combo guard Derek Dixon, who are both Syracuse basketball targets. Last September, Dixon officially visited the Orange, while the 'Cuse staff is recruiting Smith hard these days.

Saturday, July 13, at 7:30 pm versus opponent TBD
Sunday, July 14, at 4:30 pm versus New Heights Lightning
Monday, July 15, at 1:30 pm versus Houston Hoops
Wednesday, July 17, at 1:30 pm versus WhyNot
Friday, July 19, at 12:00 pm versus Team Thad

Expressions Elite, based in Boston, 9-6 record
A standout here is 2025 four-star wing/small forward London Jemison, who has an Orange offer and officially visited Syracuse basketball in late December of last year.

Saturday, July 13, at 6:00 pm versus Vegas Elite
Sunday, July 14, at 4:30 pm versus Drive Nation
Tuesday, July 16, at 6:00 pm versus Florida Rebels
Thursday, July 18, at 6:00 pm versus Team United
Friday, July 19, at 3:00 pm versus JL3

Team United, based in Charlotte, N.C., 7-8 record
One of the leaders of this group is White, the 2025 five-star forward who verbally committed to the 'Cuse in late May and has unofficially visited the team twice.

Saturday, July 13, at 7:30 pm versus Drive Nation
Sunday, July 14, at 6:00 pm versus Florida Rebels
Tuesday, July 16, at 4:30 pm versus JL3
Thursday, July 18, at 6:00 pm versus Expressions Elite
Friday, July 19, at 3:00 pm versus Vegas Elite

Team Final, based in Philadelphia, 6-9 record
On the Team Final roster are 2025 four-star big man Matthew Gilhool and 2025 four-star combo guard Jerry Easter II, both of whom have landed Orange offers. Gilhool has visited Syracuse basketball several times, while Easter has said he's interested in visiting the 'Cuse at some point.

Friday, July 12, at 12:00 pm versus CP3 (play-in game)