The grassroots circuit is underway across various leagues, and numerous Syracuse basketball recruiting targets in the 2026 and 2027 classes are vying to win an AAU title later this summer.
Nike's EYBL league, where various Orange targets suit up, held its first spring session this past weekend in Mesa, Ariz. The EYBL will hold two more spring sessions in May before its annual season-ending Peach Jam tournament takes place in July.
According to the EYBL Web site, media reports and comments from national analysts and scouts, a handful of 'Cuse recruits did well in Mesa within the main 17U division. Let's delve into that further.
How Syracuse basketball targets performed at the first EYBL spring session.
One quick note: this list below isn't meant to be fully comprehensive, as there certainly could be some 2026 and 2027 prospects being pursued by the 'Cuse staff that I'm not aware of at this juncture. Also, for those who I do include here, they either hold a scholarship offer or interest from Orange coaches.
Qayden Samuels, 2026 five-star wing
Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover
24.7 points, 5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game
44 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point land and 78.6 percent from the free-throw line
Dylan Mingo, 2026 five-star point guard
Bronx, N.Y.-based PSA Cardinals
23.3 points, 7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game
58.5 percent from the field, 57.1 percent from 3-point land and 81.8 percent from the free-throw line
Jordan Smith Jr., 2026 five-star shooting guard
Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover
22.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 blocks per game
60 percent from the field, 20 percent from 3-point land and 65 percent from the free-throw line
Dakari Spear, 2026 four-star guard
Irving, Texas-based Drive Nation
16 points, 2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game
41 percent from the field, 21.1 percent from 3-point land and 75 percent from the free-throw line
Jasiah Jervis, 2026 four-star wing
New York City-based NY Renaissance
13.7 points, 6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game
44.7 percent from the field, 25 percent from 3-point land and 57.1 percent from the free-throw line
Anthony Brown Jr., 2026 four-star wing
Oxon Hill, Md.-based Team Durant
17.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4 rebounds per game
40 percent from the field, 26.7 percent from 3-point land and 86.7 percent from the free-throw line
Vaughn Karvala, 2026 four-star small forward
Milwaukee-based Team Herro
15 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1 block per game
45.9 percent from the field, 41.7 percent from 3-point land and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line
Prince-Alexander Moody, 2026 four-star guard
Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover
11.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4 assists per game
40 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from 3-point land and 90 percent from the free-throw line
Paul Osaruyi, 2027 five-star power forward/center
Phoenix-based Arizona Unity
10.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 blocks per game
41.4 percent from the field, 12.5 percent from 3-point land and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line
The next EYBL spring session, by the way, will transpire from May 16 to May 18 in Memphis, Tenn.