Syracuse Basketball: This week, 4-star, 5-star targets on nation’s No. 2, No. 3 teams

ESPN released its updated top 25 in high school hoops this week, and Syracuse basketball recruits find their teams among the highest-ranked across the country.

In this latest top 25, I’m counting seven high school programs that are included and have rosters that feature Orange targets, whether prospects who hold scholarship offers or interest from the ‘Cuse coaching staff.

Checking in at No. 1 is the powerhouse Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla., which when the ESPN top 25 came out resided at 26-0 overall.

Montverde, the premier squad in high school hoops over the past few years, has a loaded line-up that features three former Orange recruits in 2024 five-star big man Derik Queen, 2024 five-star point guard Robert Wright III (signed with Baylor), and 2024 four-star point guard Curtis Givens III (signed with LSU).

Syracuse basketball targets play on highly rated teams.

Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, N.Y.
16-3 overall, No. 2 nationally
Long Island Lutheran, like Montverde, suits up in the 14-member Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Scholastic (“EYBL Scholastic”). And also similar to Montverde, Long Island Lutheran is a contender to win the EYBL Scholastic regular-season title and make a return to the GEICO Nationals this spring. Kiyan Anthony, a 2025 four-star shooting guard, and Nigel James, a 2025 four-star point guard, are Orange priority recruits and part of a loaded Long Island Lutheran backcourt.

St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va.
25-2 overall, No. 3 nationally
St. Paul VI, also vying for a GEICO Nationals berth, is currently leading the loaded Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (“WCAC”). Two 2026 players on the St. Paul VI roster hold ‘Cuse scholarship offers. They are five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr. who plans to visit SU at some point, and underrated point guard Anthony Brown.

La Lumiere School in La Porte, Ind.
17-4 overall, No. 6 nationally
La Lumiere, an EYBL Scholastic member, could make a run at a possible invite to the 2024 GEICO Nationals. A standout for La Lumiere is 2025 five-star point guard Jerry Easter II, who has a ‘Cuse offer and reportedly is interested in taking an official visit to Syracuse basketball soon.

Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, N.Y.
20-3 overall, No. 10 nationally
One of the top high school programs in the Empire State, the Archbishop Stepinac backcourt includes fast-rising 2026 guard Jasiah Jervis, who is garnering interest from Orange coaches and is set to enter the national rankings for the sophomore cycle in the near future, analysts say.

IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
16-8 overall, No. 12 nationally
Also an EYBL Scholastic member, IMG features Syracuse basketball 2024 commit Donnie Freeman, a five-star power forward who has been named a McDonald’s All-American for the 2023-24 term. I think it will prove tough for IMG to land a bid to the upcoming GEICO Nationals, however, Freeman is one of the top scorers and rebounders in EYBL Scholastic play.

Myers Park High School in Charlotte, N.C.
20-2 overall, No. 16 nationally
Myers Park is having an excellent campaign, and one of the team’s best players is 2025 four-star forward Sadiq White Jr. He possesses an Orange offer and took an unofficial visit to Syracuse basketball last September.

Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C.
23-4 overall, No. 20 nationally
Gonzaga is currently in the No. 2 spot within the WCAC. One of the squad’s backcourt stars is 2025 four-star combo guard Derek Dixon. He was offered by the ‘Cuse in mid-June of last year and then took an official visit to the Hill in late September of 2023.