On June 15, college coaches, including the Syracuse basketball staff, could start initiating direct communication with high school prospects in the 2028 class.
Since then, the Orange staff, led by first-year head coach Gerry McNamara, has reached out to a bevy of players in the rising high school junior class. The 'Cuse has also offered a scholarship to various 2028 prospects, whether before or after the contact period opened in mid-June.
Without question, SU's recruiting efforts in the 2027 class are the utmost priority these days, given that these prospects are heading into their senior years of high school. But already, Syracuse basketball coaches are knee-deep in activity within the 2028 cycle, while also getting on the board with at least one offer in the 2029 class.
While my information below isn't meant to be fully exhaustive, because there will always be some prospects flying under the radar when it comes to being pursued by the Orange, this column does provide a detailed look at prospects who hold either an offer or interest from SU coaches in 2028 and 2029.
Syracuse basketball's recruiting efforts to date in the 2028 and 2029 classes.
2028 Class
Mason Collins
Five-star wing at The Tatnall School in Wilmington, Del.
Collins was receiving interest from the former 'Cuse staff under then-head coach Adrian Autry. The new Orange staff has reached out to Collins since June 15.
Isaiah Hamilton
Five-star wing at the Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla.
Hamilton held an offer from Autry's staff, and McNamara remains in pursuit of the elite Canadian product.
Logan Chwastyk
Five-star center out of the Malvern Preparatory School in Malvern, Pa.
Chwastyk picked up a scholarship offer from the 'Cuse last month.
Liam Mitakaro
Five-star point guard from CIA Bella Vista in Phoenix
In June, the new Syracuse basketball staff offered Mitakaro.
Xavier Skipworth
Five-star wing out of the Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla.
Skipworth, a DMV product, was offered by the former Orange staff. McNamara and his assistant coaches have been in touch with Skipworth since the 2028 contact period opened.
Will Brunson
Five-star small forward at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
Brunson was recently re-offered by the new 'Cuse coaching staff. He took an unofficial visit to the Hill last December.
Malik Moore
Four-star point guard at Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, N.J.
The Orange staff has made contact with this talented floor general since mid-June.
Michai White
Five-star point guard out of the Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H.
In late August of last year, White took an unofficial visit to the 'Cuse to play in the team's annual Elite Camp. Additionally, he's heard from the new Syracuse basketball staff since June 15.
Kevin Wheatley Jr.
Five-star wing at the newly formed Masters Academy International in Stow, Mass.
Last December, Wheatley took an unofficial visit to SU and was offered a scholarship. McNamara and the new Orange staff have reached out to him since June 15.
Rowan Phillips
Four-star combo guard out of Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, Pa.
Phillips has heard from SU coaches since mid-June, and he played in the Orange's annual Elite Camp in late August of 2024.
Carter Smith
Four-star combo guard out of the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia
Smith was re-offered by the 'Cuse last month. He also played in SU's annual Elite Camp last August.
Isaiah Carter
Four-star wing out of the Highland School in Warrenton, Va.
McNamara offered a scholarship to Carter in late June at the DMV Live event in Hyattsville, Md., amid a scholastic live period.
Isaiah Clarke
Four-star forward at CIA Bella Vista in Phoenix
The Orange offered Clarke last week.
Settimo Yugu
Four-star forward out of CIA Bella Vista in Phoenix.
Yugu landed his Syracuse basketball offer in mid-June.
Damian Mojica
Three-star power forward out of The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
Mojica, a fast-rising big, has heard from the Orange since June 15. Last week, he took an unofficial visit to the Orange, as I first reported.
Skye Ragoo
Three-star guard at Christ the King High School in Middle Village, N.Y.
The 'Cuse staff has been in touch with Ragoo since the 2028 contact period opened on June 15.
Jadah Washington
Point guard out of the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C.
Washington has heard from the Orange since mid-June.
Kingsley Rogers
Guard/wing at the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Mass.
The 'Cuse has made contact with Rogers since June 15.
Enmanuel Valera Melo
Three-star wing at The Phelps School in Malvern, Pa.
Valera Melo is receiving interest from the Syracuse basketball staff, including the Orange reaching out to him after June 15.
Ka'Shawn Gill
Three-star guard with the Atlanta-based league Overtime Elite
The 'Cuse coaching staff has reached out to Gill since the 2028 contact period opened on June 15.
Rezon Harris
Four-star wing at Father Judge High School in Philadelphia
Harris held an offer from the former SU staff. Late last month, at Philly Live during a scholastic live period, the Orange staff was in for Harris as he competed for Father Judge.
Nico Antoniacci
Four-star guard at Riverside Junior/Senior High School in Taylor, Pa.
The previous SU staff under Autry had offered Antoniacci. At Philly Live in late June, the new Syracuse basketball staff watched Antoniacci suit up for Riverside.
2029 Class
Mamadou Issa Sow
CIA Bella Vista in Phoenix
The new Orange staff re-offered Issa Sow this past April.
Two other 2029 prospects held offers from the former SU staff. They are five-star wing David Johnson of the Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., and combo guard Isaiah Rider IV of Higley High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Let's see if either or both of them are re-offered by McNamara.
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