Syracuse basketball has recruited 2026 5-stars as hard as anyone. Will it pay off?

For more than two years, Syracuse basketball coaches have been in pursuit of 2026 five-star prospects Deron Rippey Jr. from New York City and Jordan Smith Jr. from the Washington, D.C., region.

One would be hard-pressed to find another college program out there that has recruited either elite player harder. The 6-foot-2 Rippey was offered a scholarship by the Orange in late August of 2023. The 'Cuse offered the 6-foot-3 Smith that same year, in early May.

Rippey is the nation's No. 1 point guard in the 2026 cycle, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite. He's also a top-10 overall player, according to Rivals. Smith is widely regarded as the No. 1 player at his position, and the 247Sports Composite places him at No. 2 nationally.

The Orange staff, over the last two-plus years, has been in for Rippey and Smith on countless occasions in numerous settings. Last weekend, Rippey took an official visit to the Hill that went well, according to media reports. Earlier this week, Syracuse basketball coaches were in for Smith at his high school.

Rippey has now officially and unofficially visited the Orange. He has the 'Cuse in his top nine. Smith has Syracuse basketball in his top six. He unofficially visited SU in September of 2024, and I've been told he's expected to visit the program again, perhaps once the 2025-26 season gets underway for Syracuse basketball.

Smith isn't likely to sign during the early signing period for 2026 prospects in mid-November of this year. We'll have to see what Rippey decides to do. While I'm not suggesting that the Orange is the favorite for either player, the 'Cuse has a shot with both top-flight prospects.

Syracuse basketball is heavily involved with two five-star prospects in the 2026 class.

Rippey, of the Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J., and Smith, who attends St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va., have some impressive suitors, so the Orange has its work cut out if it wants to prevail for either, or dare I say both, of them.

'Cuse coaches have deep recruiting ties to the New York and D.C. regions. That's a plus. Syracuse basketball's entire staff has put on a full-court press for Rippey and Smith. The Orange isn't going to lose out on either target due to a lack of work on the recruiting trail.

Now, there could be various factors that come into play for both prospects. A program's culture and success on the court, for sure. The player's relationship with the head coach and the assistants. Playing time that will be available. Player development and prospects to get to the NBA after one or two seasons. NIL and direct revenue-sharing funds. Campus environments. Current roster make-up. The list goes on.

I am confident that Syracuse basketball checks a lot of boxes for Rippey and Smith. Will it be enough to win out for either or both of them? We'll have to wait and see. One thing that is important: For the Orange to get off to a strong start to its 2025-26 campaign, which gets underway in about a month.

These and other 2026 targets need to know that they would be committing to a stable program that is turning a corner and will get back to its winning ways where reaching the NCAA Tournament is the norm.

In 2026, the 'Cuse appears to have honed in on a handful of prospects. Others include four-star wing/small forward Vaughn Karvala, four-star shooting guard Dakari Spear and four-star big man Asher Elson.

Karvala is working to reschedule his official visit to the Orange, which initially was supposed to be last weekend alongside Rippey's. Spear took his official visit to Syracuse basketball in early September. Elson goes on his official visit to Central New York later this month.

Additionally, some 'Cuse 2027 recruiting targets may look to re-class into the 2026 cycle, which I'll be monitoring. One name to know is four-star wing/small forward Clyde Walters of the Atlanta-based professional league Overtime Elite. A source has told me that the Orange staff may try to get Walters on campus for a visit.

However, the top 2026 targets for Syracuse basketball, for a while now, have proven Rippey and Smith. Will it sting if the Orange misses on both of them? Of course. My gut tells me that the 'Cuse likely won't get a verbal pledge from each of them, but I wouldn't be surprised if Syracuse basketball does secure a commitment from one of them.

To reiterate, though, the entire Orange coaching staff has put in the work for Rippey and Smith. And that's all we, as Syracuse basketball fans, can ask for from 'Cuse coaches.