Syracuse basketball offers pair of 2028 prospects who project as 5-stars, experts say

Syracuse basketball coaches continue to make offers to prospects in the 2028 class.

On Saturday, 247Sports national analyst Dushawn London first reported that the Orange had offered scholarships to guard Ian Archbold and center Toussaint Malukila, who both suit up for excellent high school programs in New Jersey. A huge congrats to both players!

As the primary recruiting services expand their 2028 rankings in the future, experts say that Archbold and Malukila are trending as five-star prospects and among the top players at their respective positions in the rising high school sophomore class.

Archbold and Malukila compete on the AAU circuit for the New York-based New Heights in the Adidas 3SSB league. New Heights is also the home of 2026 five-star point guard and top-20 national prospect Deron Rippey Jr., who will take an official visit to Syracuse basketball in late September, I first reported earlier this week.

Syracuse basketball has offered numerous other 2028 players.

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Archbold attends the Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J., a powerhouse prep-school team whose roster also features Rippey. The 6-foot-11, 205-pound Malukila goes to Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, N.J.

During the 2024-25 season, Blair sported a 24-4 overall record and was ranked No. 6 in New Jersey, according to MaxPreps. Paul VI went 22-4 and checked in via MaxPreps at No. 17 in the Garden State.

Currently, I'm not seeing any other offers for Archbold on 247Sports, while Malukila holds an offer from TCU. However, let's keep in mind that it's super early in their recruiting processes, and college coaches can't initiate direct communication with 2028 prospects until mid-June of next year.

In May, Chris Ramirez of The Hoop Post wrote in part that Archbold is "widely projected as a five-star prospect in the class of 2028." Ramirez added: "What makes Archbold stand out is his length, size, and fluidity — physical tools that jump out immediately. He’s a lengthy prospect with early indicators of having legitimate two-way tools and long-term potential. While his ball skills are still developing, there’s confidence that, as his body fills out and his skills tighten, he’ll evolve into an outstanding playmaker at the next level."

Last fall, an evaluation on futureprospectsd1.com read in part: "At 6’11”, Toussaint Malukila is already turning heads in the basketball world as one of the top big men in the class of 2028. Hailing from Camden, New Jersey, and attending the powerhouse Paul VI High School, Malukila’s presence on the court is undeniable. His standout performance at the John Lucas Be Elite Invitational showcased his immense potential, with his combination of size, footwork, and defensive abilities setting him apart from his peers. As he continues to develop, Malukila is positioning himself as a strong Division I prospect with the potential to be a game-changer at the next level."

This weekend is a live period on the shoe-sponsored circuits. The Adidas 3SSB league is in Rock Hill, S.C., and a source told me a few days ago that the Syracuse basketball staff is on hand at this 3SSB session.

To date, I'm aware of at least five other 2028 prospects who have been offered by the Orange. These players are:
•Four-star point guard Tai Bell
•Five-star shooting guard Colton Hiller
•Small forward Will Brunson
•Four-star wing Xavier Skipworth
•Point guard Tyylon Ennis