Syracuse Basketball: SU staff at Hoophall Classic for Donnie Freeman, 4-star recruits

Syracuse basketball coaches are expected to be in attendance on Sunday and Monday at the Spalding Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass., I’ve learned from a source.

The Spalding Hoophall Classic, which is running from January 11 to January 15, is arguably the top showcase year to year in high school hoops.

Several games will air on national television, giving Orange fans an opportunity to watch Syracuse basketball recruits and a commit.

This season’s field at the Spalding Hoophall Classic is absolutely loaded, featuring many of the top high school programs around the country in the latest national rankings from experts.

Syracuse basketball coaches are watching a commit and recruits.

Among the teams playing in the Spalding Hoophall Classic on Sunday and Monday are Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va., and Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, N.Y.

All of these powerhouse programs have recruiting ties to the ‘Cuse, and all of these squads are highly rated in national rankings from high school hoops analysts.

Here are some games that Syracuse basketball coaches will likely attend, and that Orange fans may want to monitor, on Sunday and Monday in the Spalding Hoophall Classic:

Sunday, Jan. 14
10:30 am, Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., versus Hudson Catholic Regional High School in Jersey City, N.J.
3:45 pm, IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., versus Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kan. (available on ESPN+)

Monday, Jan. 15
1 pm, Christopher Columbus High School in Miami versus St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va. (available on ESPNU)
3 pm, Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, N.Y., versus AZ Compass Prep School in Chandler, Ariz. (available on ESPNU)
5 pm, Link Academy in Branson, Mo., versus IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. (available on ESPNU)

Gonzaga, a top high school team in the talent-rich Washington market, features 2025 four-star combo guard Derek Dixon, who was offered by the Orange in mid-June and went on an official visit to the Hill in late September.

The IMG roster includes senior Donnie Freeman from Washington, D.C., a four-star power forward and a top-30 national prospect in the 2024 cycle who has officially signed with the ‘Cuse.

St. Paul VI has a stacked line-up in the 2023-24 season, with two talented sophomores being five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr. and point guard Anthony Brown.

Orange coaches are working on getting Smith to the SU campus for an unofficial visit, I reported on Saturday. He was offered by the ‘Cuse in early May.

Brown received his scholarship offer from the Syracuse basketball coaching staff in late August.

The impressive Long Island Lutheran backcourt includes Orange 2025 priority targets Kiyan Anthony and Nigel James. Anthony, a four-star shooting guard, was offered by the ‘Cuse in November of 2022 and took an official visit to Syracuse basketball last October.

James, a four-star point guard, picked up an Orange offer in late August and took an official visit to the ‘Cuse in mid-September.

On Saturday, Long Island Lutheran took on Christopher Columbus in Springfield. In a bit of an upset, Christopher Columbus prevailed, 81-62.

According to a box score provided by Legit Sport Stats, James finished with eight points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Anthony, who struggled with his shot in the loss, tallied five points, one rebound, one assist and one steal.