Syracuse Basketball: Malachi Richardson Recruiting Thomas Bryant To Syracuse

Malachi Richardson, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard from New Jersey, has already committed to play for the Syracuse Orange in 2015-16. Now, he's trying to convince longtime friend Thomas Bryant to join him at SU, according to syracuse.com.

"I've been talking to Thomas all week, see where his mind is at, where he really wants to go," Richardson said Tuesday during media day for the McDonald's All-America Game. "I want to try to get him to come to Syracuse with us."

Bryant and Richardson have known each other since eighth grade, when they began attending the same basketball camp. On Tuesday, Richardson discussed his excitement to play at Syracuse.

In addition to SU, Bryant is considering Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri. He said on Monday that he hadn't heard from Syracuse since January. Fortunately for the Orange, the 6-foot-10 center from Rochester told syracuse.com that the lack of communication won't affect his decision.

Bryant isn't expected to make his college decision until next week, when his high school season will have finished. But his relationship with Richardson could give Syracuse an upper hand, the big man indicated.

"Of course, to play with Malachi would be fun. He's a great basketball player," Bryant said. "Me and him were great friends growing up, we had chemistry, and that makes an impact. We've been friends for a while."

The two incoming freshmen will face off tonight in the McDonald's All American Game, when Bryant suits up for the East and Richardson does the same for the West.