Syracuse basketball coaches and their peers around the country were out and about this past weekend checking out high school prospects in person amid the spring's first NCAA live period.
The various shoe-sponsored AAU circuits, last weekend, held sessions in a couple of different locations nationwide. According to media reports and social media posts from recruiting analysts, the Orange staff was in attendance for numerous four-star and five-star targets in the 2025 and 2026 classes.
During the recent evaluation period, Nike's EYBL league was in Indianapolis, the Under Armour Association league was in the Cincinnati area, and the Adidas 3SSB league was in Bryan, Texas.
Additionally, the New Balance-sponsored Prelude League also held a session in the Indianapolis region, and the 'Cuse staff was reportedly in attendance for 2025 four-star point guard/shooting guard DeMarco Johnson, who suits up for Los Angeles-based Elev8 Elite, according to head coach Cory DeSanti.
As the contact period opens up for 2026 players next month, enabling college coaches to start initiating direct communication with rising high school juniors, we'll monitor which if any 2026 prospects end up landing Orange scholarship offers, along with players in the 2025 and 2027 cycles.
Which recruits were watched by the Syracuse basketball coaching staff last weekend? We explore.
Just a quick note here that the list below isn't meant to be fully exhaustive, as it's entirely possible (and likely) that 'Cuse coaches could have been watching other targets last weekend during the live period.
Nike's EYBL League
17U Division
Baltimore-based Team Melo
Kiyan Anthony, four-star shooting guard in the 2025 class
Tyler Jackson, four-star point guard in the 2025 class
Note: Syracuse basketball head coach Adrian Autry, and perhaps other SU coaches, were in attendance for at least two of Team Melo's games
Oxon Hill, Md.-based Team Durant
Acaden Lewis, four-star guard in the 2025 class
Cam Ward, four-star forward in the 2025 class
Note: Head coach Adrian Autry was on hand for a juicy battle between D.C.-area programs Team Takeover versus Team Durant
Boston-based Expressions Elite
Nigel James, four-star point guard in the 2025 class
London Jemison, four-star small forward in the 2025 class
Note: The Orange staff was watching at least one Expressions Elite contest this past weekend
Charlotte, N.C.-based Team United
Sadiq White Jr., five-star forward in the 2025 class
Note: SU head coach Adrian Autry, along with assistants Allen Griffin and Brenden Straughn, were in attendance for one of White's games
Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover
Jordan Smith Jr., five-star shooting guard in the 2026 class
Derek Dixon, four-star combo guard in the 2025 class
Note: The Orange staff was on hand for a juicy battle between D.C.-area programs Team Takeover versus Team Durant
Albany, N.Y.-based City Rocks
Imahri Wooten, four-star wing in the 2026 class
Keyshuan Tillery, four-star point guard in the 2025 class
Note: Syracuse basketball head coach Adrian Autry was watching at least one City Rocks contest this past weekend
Miami-based Nightrydas Elite
Dante Allen, four-star guard in the 2025 class
Note: 'Cuse head coach Adrian Autry was in attendance for one of Allen's games
Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry is court side for top 50 forward Shon Abaev of @soh_elite
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) May 19, 2024
Under Armour Association League
17U Division
Pembroke Pines, Fla.-based SOH Elite
Shon Abaev, four-star wing in the 2025 class
Note: 'Cuse head coach Adrian Autry was in attendance for at least one of Abaev's encounters