Lately, multiple national analysts have stated that Syracuse basketball coaches are doing a strong job with their 2025 recruiting efforts.
One of the central themes in some recent comments from recruiting analysts focuses on how Orange coaches have remained aggressive and consistent in their pursuit of various top-flight players in the rising high school senior cycle.
It's difficult to gauge at this time just how many high school prospects the 'Cuse may end up landing in this class. We'll have to see what transpires with the current 2024-25 roster following the upcoming season.
The Orange already has one five-star pledge in the 2025 cycle, elite forward Sadiq White Jr., and 'Cuse coaches are heavily involved with various other four-star recruits. The next few months will prove exciting, and maybe a tad nerve-wracking, as more clarity emerges for the Syracuse basketball 2025 class.
One thing seems clear to me, though. Head coach Adrian Autry and his awesome staff have the makings of a truly special 2025 cycle that could reside in the top 10 nationally, if not higher than that, although time will tell which rising seniors the Orange hauls in to join White.
In a perfect world, this is my dream scenario for the Syracuse basketball 2025 cycle.
Point Guard/Combo Guard
Acaden Lewis/Tyler Jackson/Derek Dixon/Keyshuan Tillery
This position group is fluid, to say the least. The four-star Lewis, from Washington, D.C., has the Orange in his top eight and took an unofficial visit to the Hill on August 1. However, the competition for him is steep. Let's see if the 'Cuse lands an official visit from Lewis.
The four-star Jackson, a Baltimore product, went on an official visit to Syracuse basketball in late January of this year. He has some upcoming visits planned to other suitors as well, per analysts.
The four-star Dixon officially visited the Orange in late September of 2023 and has the program in his top six. I don't have inside intel on his recruitment, but I feel like Syracuse basketball is likely more of a long shot for the Washington, D.C., native.
This brings us to the four-star Tillery, who hails from Albany, N.Y., and took an unofficial visit to the 'Cuse in late August of last year to compete in the Orange's annual Elite Camp. Per analysts, Tillery has five upcoming official visits set and is considering a second visit to Syracuse basketball.
Shooting Guard
Kiyan Anthony
It all starts and ends here with the four-star Anthony from New York City. He went on an official visit to the Orange in late October of 2023 and has said he may visit the 'Cuse again. Syracuse basketball is in Anthony's top six; recently, several recruiting insiders have suggested that the Orange could be considered the leader in his recruitment, at least for the time being.
Wing/Small Forward
Shon Abaev/Ryder Frost/London Jemison
This position group is an interesting one. The four-star Abaev, from Florida, is scheduled to officially visit Syracuse basketball this coming weekend, and he's spoken highly of his relationship with Autry.
The four-star Frost, who comes from Massachusetts, took an official visit to the Orange in late June. Not too long ago, he put the 'Cuse in his top eight. Over the last week or two, I've come across some comments from analysts stating that the Orange is in the mix for both Abaev and Frost, but that other suitors may be out in front for each of them at this juncture.
Now we turn to the four-star Jemison from Connecticut. He has the 'Cuse in his top six and officially visited the Orange in late December of last year.
Power Forward
Sadiq White Jr.
In late May, the top-20 national prospect from Charlotte, N.C., verbally committed to Syracuse basketball, a huge first get for Autry and his assistants in the 2025 class. White has said he's actively recruiting other top Syracuse basketball targets to join him at the 'Cuse in his cycle.
Center
Asher Elson
With four-star Matt Gilhool from Philadelphia and five-star Chris Cenac Jr. from New Orleans not including the Orange in their recent list cuts, the only power forward/center who the 'Cuse is currently pursuing, as far as I can tell, is the four-star Elson from New York City. That could change, but for now, I do think that he's a promising prospect. Syracuse basketball offered Elson in mid-April of this year. He's a top-120 national prospect and will spend his senior year in the Atlanta-based professional league Overtime Elite, giving him increased national exposure.
To me, the best-case scenario for Syracuse basketball is the following 2025 class:
Acaden Lewis
Kiyan Anthony
Shon Abaev
Sadiq White Jr.
Asher Elson
I acknowledge such a scenario isn't likely to happen in full, but if it did, that's an Orange cycle that would be in the top five around the country.