Syracuse basketball staff on hand for 4-star, 5-star targets at Hoophall Classic

Syracuse basketball assistant coach Brenden Straughn, an elite recruiter, is in attendance at the prestigious Hoophall Classic, according to an Instagram story post.

This annual event, held at the Blake Arena on the campus of Springfield College in Springfield, Mass., began on January 15 and runs through Monday, Jan. 19. The Hoophall Classic is considered one of the top annual showcases in high school basketball, featuring elite prospects and teams from around the country.

Based on Straughn's Instagram story post, it looks like he may have watched a game on Sunday between Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, N.Y., and the Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla.

Per a post on X, Montverde won that encounter, 71-58. I'm not aware of players on the Montverde roster being recruited by the Orange staff, although 2027 five-star wing/small forward Moussa Kamissoko from Long Island Lutheran holds a scholarship offer from the 'Cuse. Kamissoko tallied eight points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal.

On Saturday, Long Island Lutheran fell in a close affair, 59-58, to the AZ Compass Prep School in Chandler, Ariz. Kamissoko played quite well, finishing with 11 points and seven rebounds while making 5-of-5 from the field.

Syracuse basketball assistant Brenden Straughn is at the Hoophall Classic.

From an Orange recruiting standpoint, 2027 three-star wing Zaahir Muhammad-Gray was in action for Imhotep Institute Charter High School against the Providence Christian Academy in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Sunday morning. Imhotep prevailed, 59-49.

Also on Sunday:
The Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., won 69-60 over the Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va. For Brewster, 2028 five-star point guard Michai White, who holds interest from the 'Cuse, had 10 points, while for Oak Hill, 2029 five-star wing David Johnson, who has a Syracuse basketball offer, produced nine points.

CIA Bella Vista in Phoenix crushed the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., by a final score of 66-32. For CIA Bella Vista, 2027 five-star big man Paul Osaruyi has an Orange offer and finished with seven points and 10 rebounds.

On Monday morning, the Southeastern Preparatory Academy in Orlando, Fla., was playing The Newman School in Boston. CJ Rosser, a 2027 five-star power forward, holds a Syracuse basketball scholarship offer.

Also on Monday, Brewster plays the Spire Academy in Geneva, Ohio, while St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va., battles St. Mary's Catholic High School in Phoenix. Jordan Smith Jr., a 2026 five-star shooting guard and All-American at St. Paul VI, is a Syracuse basketball priority recruit who has unofficially visited the program twice.

That being said, Smith didn't play on Saturday in the final game of the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo. We'll have to see if he suits up on Monday at the Hoophall Classic.