Syracuse Basketball: Tons of recent activity to unpack with 2025 4-star, 5-star targets

Things are starting to heat up as it pertains to the recruiting efforts of Syracuse basketball coaches in the 2025 class.

Headlining this activity uptick, naturally, is the late May verbal pledge by five-star forward Sadiq White Jr. to the Orange, a massive first commitment for the 'Cuse in this cycle.

While the Orange staff has offered scholarships to more than 20 prospects in the rising high school senior cycle, Syracuse basketball coaches, these days, are honing in on a smaller number of four-star and five-star priority recruits.

Lately, the Orange has welcomed a couple of 2025 targets to the Hill on visits, with another rising senior set to make a trip to Central New York later this month. Additionally, several 2025 prospects have recently unveiled list cuts that included the 'Cuse.

Let's unpack the latest developments for Syracuse basketball in the 2025 class.

I'm going to note here 12 guys in the 2025 cycle who, as far as I can tell, are likely among the top recruits for Orange coaches in this class.

Sadiq White Jr.
The top-20 national prospect, the one verbal commit for the 'Cuse at this juncture, has unofficially visited the Orange twice. I'd expect him to take an official visit to Syracuse basketball in the coming months. White, who will spend his senior year at the powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., has told top writer Sam Lance of zagsblog.com that he's actively recruiting other top-flight prospects to join him in the Orange's 2025 class.

Shon Abaev
As I noted in a column earlier this week, the four-star small forward and top-40 national prospect in the 2025 cycle is set to take an official visit to Syracuse basketball from August 30 to August 31, according to 247Sports national analyst Travis Branham. The 'Cuse, in late April, offered a scholarship to Abaev, who was an elite performer during the most recent AAU season and is a standout at the Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Acaden Lewis
Lewis, a four-star guard and a fast-rising top-40 overall player in this class, stars for the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. Offered by the Orange in late April, Lewis took an unofficial visit to the Hill on August 1 and has the 'Cuse in his top eight. I'll be curious to see whether he also takes an official visit to Syracuse basketball at some point.

Kiyan Anthony
The four-star shooting guard and top-30 national prospect out of Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, N.Y., recently disclosed a top six that, unsurprisingly, features the Orange. He was offered by the 'Cuse in November of 2022 and officially visited Syracuse basketball last October. Anthony has said he's likely to visit the Orange again, along with his other finalists.

London Jemison
The four-star wing/small forward and top-40 overall player attends the St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Conn. He picked up a 'Cuse offer in late September of 2023; then, in late December of last year, Jemison went on an official visit to Syracuse basketball. In late July, per reports, he came out with a top six, and the Orange made the cut.

Derek Dixon
The four-star combo guard and top-60 national prospect, a standout at Gonzaga College High School in D.C., was offered by the 'Cuse in mid-June of 2023. In late September of last year, he officially visit Syracuse basketball. Late last month, per reports, Dixon included the Orange in his top six.

Tyler Jackson
The Baltimore product, a four-star point guard and a top-50 overall player in the 2025 class, picked up his 'Cuse offer in late April of last year. This past January, he went on an official visit to Syracuse basketball. Jackson, who suits up in the Atlanta-based professional league Overtime Elite, has said he plans to name his finalists soon, and I'd be surprised if Syracuse basketball isn't included in his list cut.

Ryder Frost
The four-star wing and top-100 national prospect out of the Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H., was offered by the Orange staff in late May. The following month, in late June, he took an official visit to Syracuse basketball.

Chris Cenac Jr.
The five-star power forward/center, who has vaulted into the top five nationally of the 2025 cycle, received a 'Cuse scholarship offer in early June of this year. Cenac will suit up as a senior at the Link Academy in Branson, Mo. Last month, he was a member of the USA Basketball U17 national team that captured the gold medal at the 2024 FIBA World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey. Orange assistant coach Brenden Straughn was in attendance for Cenac at this international event.

Dante Allen
The four-star shooting guard and top-80 overall player, who was offered by the 'Cuse staff in late April of this year, will play as a senior for the juggernaut Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla. In July, Allen helped guide the Miami-based Nightrydas Elite to the coveted Peach Jam crown on Nike’s EYBL circuit in the 17U division. Some recent reports have indicated that Syracuse basketball coaches are in regular communication with him; the key is to get Allen on the Hill for a visit at some point.

Asher Elson
The fast-rising, four-star power forward/center secured an offer from the Orange in mid-April of this year. Elson, who has jumped into the top 120 nationally of his class, had a strong junior term at South Shore High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., although recent social media posts indicate that he may be moving for his senior year to Overtime Elite.

Josiah Sanders
Sanders is a four-star point guard and a top-120 overall player who stars for Colorado Prep in Colorado Springs, Colo. Several reports from recruiting analysts have noted that the Orange is showing an interest in Sanders, who could potentially take a visit to Syracuse basketball in the coming months.