Several media reports in recent months had indicated that Syracuse basketball coaches were showing an interest in fast-rising 2026 prospect MJ Madison, who has spoken highly of the relationship that he's forging with Orange general manager Alex Kline.
Now that interest from the 'Cuse has turned into an offer for the 6-foot-9, 214-pound Madison, who is originally from Atlanta and is playing high school and AAU ball in New York state. Not too long ago, the four-star power forward disclosed via his X page that he had received a formal scholarship offer from Syracuse basketball, and I wish a huge congrats to MJ!
Blessed to receive an offer from Syracuse University! #AGTG #goorange 🍊 pic.twitter.com/bMds1Zmg85
— MJ Madison (@MJMad1son) May 2, 2025
While a date hasn't been scheduled, I do believe that Madison is likely to visit the Hill at some point. Stay tuned for that.
Madison, who recently moved into the top 40 nationally in his class, per the recruiting service On3, spent the 2024-25 campaign, as a junior, at Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, N.Y. In 2024-25, Long Island Lutheran was a top-10 team, and Madison played alongside 'Cuse incoming freshman Kiyan Anthony, a 2025 four-star shooting guard, as well as 2026 five-star point guard Dylan Mingo and 2027 five-star wing/forward Moussa Kamissoko, who are both Syracuse basketball targets.
Syracuse basketball has officially entered the recruitment of 2026 four-star power forward MJ Madison.
According to recruiting services and an April article from top writer Sam Lance of zagsblog.com, Madison's scholarship offer sheet also includes schools like the College of Charleston, Georgia, Penn State, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Kennesaw State. College squads that have been in contact with him include Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Seton Hall.
2026 4⭐️ MJ Madison of @LuHiBasketball is a budding forward prospect in the 2026 class.
— Sam Kayser (@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
This spring and summer in grassroots hoops, Madison is suiting up for the Albany, N.Y.-based City Rocks in Nike’s EYBL league. As more college coaches are able to see him play for the City Rocks during NCAA-allowed live periods coming up later this spring and into the summer, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Madison's offer list significantly grows.
Over the years, numerous players who competed for the City Rocks went on to college careers with the Orange, and I'm hopeful that Madison will seriously consider Syracuse basketball as his recruiting process carries onward.
I'd anticipate that the 'Cuse coaching staff will be in attendance for Madison and the City Rocks on the EYBL circuit amid upcoming live periods. When I wrote this piece, both the industry-generated 247Sports Composite and the industry-generated On3 Industry Ranking had him in the top 85 nationally, with the On3 Industry Ranking placing Madison as the No. 9 power forward in the 2026 cycle.