Syracuse basketball targets Acaden Lewis, Shon Abaev may reach 5 stars, analysts say

Several Syracuse basketball priority recruits are receiving high praise from top national analysts and scouts as 247Sports recently refreshed its rankings for the 2025 and 2026 classes.

In the wake of these 2025 and 2026 updates from 247Sports, national basketball director Eric Bossi, director of scouting Adam Finkelstein, national analyst Travis Branham, national analyst Dushawn London and national analyst/scout Brandon Jenkins conducted a roundtable where they discussed various prospects in these two classes.

Noted in this roundtable are four key Orange targets, all of whom hold 'Cuse scholarship offers. They are 2025 four-star guard Acaden Lewis, 2025 four-star wing/small forward Shon Abaev, 2025 four-star wing/forward London Jemison, and 2026 five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr.

Top experts dish on Syracuse basketball recruits in the 2025 and 2026 classes.

The 6-foot-3 Lewis, a star with the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., took an unofficial visit to the Orange on August 1 and has Syracuse basketball in his top eight. Following its updates, 247Sports has Lewis at No. 32 overall, No. 4 at combo guard and No. 1 in D.C.

However, London wrote that he believes Lewis "has done enough to be considered for five-star status. Lewis put the country on notice last high school season and hasn't looked back since. Lewis has consistently shown that he's one of the top shooters and playmakers in the class and he only continues to get better."

The 6-foot-8 Abaev, a standout with the Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., took an official visit to the 'Cuse not too long ago. Currently, 247Sports has him at No. 29 nationally, No. 5 at small forward and No. 6 in Florida.

The fall recruiting period commenced on September 4. An Instagram story post earlier this week from Syracuse basketball assistant coach Brenden Straughn suggested that perhaps the Orange staff was in attendance for Abaev in recent days.

In the 247Sports roundtable, Bossi wrote that when he sees Abaev's "combination of size, shot making and strength, I feel like he can be a five-star type of prospect. I know there has been some concern about his shot selection in the past, but I see a player who has really improved. I feel like his ability to do things like navigate ball screens, defend and make plays for others has been a bit overlooked because of his scoring."

The 6-foot-7 Jemison, out of the St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Conn., took an official visit to Syracuse basketball in late December of last year. More recently, since the fall recruiting period opened, posts on X from top scout Derek Murray stated that the Orange staff has been in for Jemison at least twice of late.

Jemison, who the 'Cuse in his top six, is No. 38 overall, No. 10 at power forward and No. 1 in Connecticut within his class, according to 247Sports. Bossi writes that he's "pretty high" on Jemison, adding, "He's got tremendous size, great length and is in the process of making the move from a four-man with some perimeter ability to a guy who I think plays on the wing full-time."

This brings us to the 6-foot-3 Smith, who is planning to take an unofficial visit to the Orange from September 21 to September 22, as first reported by top analyst/scout Colby Giacubeno. Smith, per 247Sports, is now No. 8 nationwide, No. 3 at shooting guard and No. 1 in Virginia within the 2026 cycle.

An All-American at St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va., Smith is a contender for the No. 1 overall spot in his class, Jenkins wrote in the 247Sports roundtable, a sentiment that other analysts and scouts have echoed in recent months.

Jenkins said that Smith is the "hardest playing prospect in high school basketball and is a constant threat to make a highlight play in areas of the game that do not involve scoring. He is a freak athlete with an evolving offensive skillset and he will be a prospect who will be heavily pursued by the sport's best programs."