Syracuse basketball watches 4-star and 5-star prospects at AZ Compass Prep's Pro Day

Syracuse basketball assistant coach Ben Lee recently attended AZ Compass Prep's Pro Day, according to social media posts.

The AZ Compass Prep School in Chandler, Ariz., is one of the top high school programs around the country. The Dragons suit up in the loaded 15-team Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Scholastic ("EYBL Scholastic"), which is arguably the premier prep hoops conference nationally.

At this juncture, Inside the Loud House isn't aware of any AZ Compass Prep players who have picked up a scholarship offer from the new SU staff under first-year head coach Gerry McNamara, other than 2027 four-star forward Zion Green, who unofficially visited the Orange in late August of last year. McNamara and his staff are not in pursuit of Green these days.

In the 2025-26 campaign, AZ Compass Prep went 25-3 overall and reached the semifinals of the season-ending Chipotle Nationals in Fishers, Ind. The Dragons were a top-five national team in 2025-26, according to media outlets such as ESPN and MaxPreps.

Syracuse basketball fans should keep an eye on one AZ Compass Prep player.

In late August, Inside the Loud House published an article about high school programs that are the most likely contenders to cut down the nets at this coming season's Chipotle Nationals, which is expected to take place in early April 2027.

Without question, AZ Compass Prep is among those who will vie for a high school national championship at the end of the 2026-27 campaign, experts tell Inside the Loud House. The Dragons' roster features highly ranked players such as Green, 2028 five-star combo guard Jakyi Miles, 2027 five-star wing/forward Demarcus Henry, 2027 four-star forward Kur Lual, 2028 four-star wing Dreylon Okey, 2027 four-star guard Jimmie Haywood, 2028 four-star point guard Malachi Kaffey and 2028 four-star guard Darren Ford.

One prospect to monitor is the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Ford. Inside the Loud House is told that the 'Cuse coaching staff is evaluating Ford, who hails from Monroe, La., and is ranked inside the top 50 nationally of his class, per several recruiting services.

In late August, Inside the Loud House spoke with AZ Compass Prep head coach Pete Kaffey by phone. Kaffey says that his 2026-27 roster, which includes returnees and new additions, is "super talented" and has a nice blend of younger guys and veterans.

"I love the pieces we added," Kaffey said to Inside the Loud House. "I like our chances, man."

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