The early signing period for high school seniors began on Wednesday and runs for a week, ending on November 19. Syracuse basketball is still in search of its first 2026 commitment. Might that come over the next week?
You never entirely know in the crazy recruiting world, but my first inclination is that the Orange won't land a 2026 pledge during the early signing period. For those 'Cuse fans reading that last statement and bemoaning it, first of all, I get it. I do.
Secondly, don't worry too much. Amid the transfer portal's explosion, Syracuse basketball and other programs around the country are putting more of an emphasis on college transfers, and less of an emphasis on prep prospects.
At the same time, let's also keep in mind that the Orange has 13 scholarship players during the current 2025-26 campaign, and up to nine of them could return next season. What's more, after a rough 2024-25, high school prospects who are high on the 'Cuse want to see how the team fares on the court this season, because there could be some uncertainty regarding the long-term stability of head coach Adrian Autry and his staff if 2025-26 doesn't go well.
By the way, the regular signing period for 2026 basketball prospects will commence on April 15 of next year. High school seniors can verbally commit before that time, but they won't be able to put pen to paper, so to speak, until mid-April.
What to watch for regarding Syracuse basketball in the 2026 early signing period.
As best I can tell, the Orange has three top targets in 2026. They are five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr., five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr. and four-star wing/power forward Asher Elson.
Rippey, out of the Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J., took an official visit to Syracuse basketball in late September, as I first reported. He also unofficially visited the Orange in late February of last year, on Jim Boeheim Day. He's expected to drop a top five soon, and I candidly don't know whether the 'Cuse will make the cut. Either way, Rippey isn't likely to sign during the early period.
Smith took an unofficial visit to Syracuse basketball earlier this month, as I first reported. He also unofficially visited the program in September of 2024. The All-American at St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va., has the Orange in his final six. Smith is not expected to sign in the early period.
That leaves Elson, who competes in the Atlanta-based professional league Overtime Elite. He took an official visit to Syracuse basketball last month and has a final four of the Orange, Auburn, Maryland and Xavier. Based on what I'm hearing, Elson could announce a commitment during the early period, but it's not a guarantee.
What this means is that it's feasible the top three 2026 targets for the 'Cuse all won't sign early, which I think is good for the Orange's chances. Syracuse basketball will want to win a lot of games on the court in the coming weeks and months to show stability in the program.
As I've reported, the 'Cuse staff is also looking at 2027 recruits as possible re-class candidates into 2026, although those prospects aren't likely to make such decisions during the early period. Stay tuned.