Syracuse basketball has interest in NY native Josh Powell, 4-star guard who may visit

Syracuse basketball is among the schools recently getting involved in the recruitment of 2026 four-star guard Josh Powell, a New York native who is shining this season for a prep team in Arizona.

According to several media reports, the Orange coaching staff is displaying an interest in the 6-foot-5 Powell, who appears to be a fast-rising prospect in the high school junior class.

As a sophomore in the 2023-24 season, Powell was terrific for Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, N.Y., which is a member of the New York state Catholic High School Athletic Association (“CHSAA”).

This term, in 2024-25, he is suiting up for Skyline Prep in Phoenix. Per a recent X post from top national writer Charlie Parent, Powell as of January 10 was averaging 20.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Parent writes that Powell is "eyeing potential visits to Michigan, Syracuse, DePaul and New Mexico State." Stay tuned on that.

Syracuse basketball has interest in 2026 four-star guard Josh Powell.

According to recruiting services, Powell's full scholarship offer sheet includes schools such as Albany, Arizona State, Bryant, Creighton, Illinois, LSU, Mississippi State, New Mexico State, Texas A&M, Georgia Tech, Manhattan and Norfolk State, among others. He also is garnering interest from a host of college teams, including the 'Cuse.

ESPN has Powell as a four-star prospect in the 2026 cycle, placing him as the No. 44 small forward and the No. 9 player coming from New York state. Rivals.com rates him as three stars.

During the most recent AAU season last spring and summer, analysts and scouts praised Powell for his performances while playing for the Bronx, N.Y.-based Wiz Kids in the Adidas 3SSB league. That is the same grassroots hoops program, by the way, of Syracuse basketball freshman shooting guard Elijah Moore.

When the experts at The Circuit doled out awards for the most recent 3SSB season, Powell was named to the All-Underclass team, as he averaged 12.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest.

To the best of my knowledge, Powell hasn't received an official scholarship offer from the 'Cuse coaching staff as of yet. That being said, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if Syracuse basketball coaches offer a scholarship to Powell sooner rather than later.

He's an extremely talented 2026 player who I could see emerging as more of a national prospect in the near future.