In early March, several Syracuse basketball four-star signees and four-star recruiting targets will suit up in an event where the winner will receive an automatic berth to this campaign's Chipotle Nationals.
Regular-season play in the 14-member Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Scholastic ("EYBL Scholastic") has wrapped up, with three programs tying for first place amid the 11-game docket during the 2024-25 stanza.
America’s premiere high school conference competes for a spot in Chipotle National 👀 Bracket drops tonight pic.twitter.com/YSyQITGkVM
— League Ready (@LeagueRDY) February 24, 2025
Now, from March 5 to March 8 in North Augusta, S.C., the EYBL Scholastic will hold its conference tournament, where the league's top 10 teams will vie for the grand prize. The winner of this tourney will earn an automatic bid to the eight-team Chipotle Nationals, which will take place from April 3 to April 5 in Fishers, Ind., and ultimately crown a national champion in high school basketball.
The #EYBLScholastic tournament (March 5-8) bracket has been released 👀 Winner gets an automatic bid to Chipotle Nationals 🌯 pic.twitter.com/CQ48xDc6s9
— League Ready (@LeagueRDY) February 25, 2025
Squads competing in the EYBL Scholastic tournament that have Orange recruiting connections include the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., CIA Bella Vista in Phoenix and Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, N.Y.
CIA Bella Vista, one of three teams to finish at No. 1 in the regular season with a 9-2 mark, is the tournament's No. 3 seed. IMG (No. 5 seed) and Long Island Lutheran (No. 7 seed) both sported a 7-4 record in EYBL Scholastic regular-season games.
In the latest national top 25 from ESPN recruiting director Paul Biancardi, surging Long Island Lutheran is No. 3, IMG is No. 4 and CIA Bella Vista is No. 8.
Syracuse basketball recruits eye an invite to the Chipotle Nationals.
One of the standouts for IMG in 2024-25 is Sadiq White Jr., a four-star forward and a top-30 national prospect who is part of the Orange's four-member 2025 class. White, not too long ago, was selected for the Iverson Classic All-America game on May 3 in Hampton, Va.
Kiyan Anthony, a four-star shooting guard and a top-30 national prospect, is a senior at Long Island Lutheran. Like White, Anthony is a 'Cuse 2025 signee and was invited to the Iverson Classic All-America game.
Other Long Island Lutheran players who have received either an offer or hold interest from the 'Cuse staff include 2026 four-star power forward MJ Madison, 2026 five-star point guard Dylan Mingo and 2027 four-star wing/forward Moussa Kamissoko.
2026 4⭐️ MJ Madison of @LuHiBasketball is a budding forward prospect in the 2026 class.
— Sam Kayser - 24/7 High School Hoops (@247HSHoops) February 17, 2025
Madison is an explosive athlete at 6-9 who finishes everything around the basket. A switchable defender who plays with high-level intensity and energy on every possession.
Auburn, Alabama,… pic.twitter.com/q0nac5zFUT
CIA Bella Vista has put forth a tremendous 2024-25 season. After finishing at 1-11 in the EYBL Scholastic regular season in 2023-24, the Bears made a massive improvement to finish in a tie for the top spot in 2024-25.
In an interview with national analyst Jason Jordan, CIA Bella Vista head coach Brandon Rosenthal said, "I couldn’t be prouder of this group. The core of the team came back and had a truly incredible turnaround to say the least. It’s a testament to their hard work and dedication. These guys remained locked in, and I’m excited about what’s possible for them moving forward."
In late October of 2024, four CIA Bella Vista players secured scholarship offers from Syracuse basketball. They are 2026 four-star point guard Miles Sadler, 2027 five-star big man Paul Osaruyi, 2026 four-star guard Rokiem Green and 2026 four-star center Aliou Dioum.