Syracuse basketball recruiting: Rivals updates rankings for 2018 targets

Although the class of 2017 recruiting cycle has been somewhat sluggish for the Syracuse Orange, the 2018 prospects that SU is after continue to impress and improve in ranking.

One of the three major recruiting outlets — Rivals — came out with their updated 2018 rankings this week.

Coming in at No. 5 overall in the class was five-star Cam Reddish. The 6-foot-7 wing attends Westtown School in Pennsylvania. He has a Syracuse offer and has repeatedly told TNIAAM his interest level with SU is high.

At No. 19, and the final five-star in the class, is Nazreon Reid. The 6-foot-9 F/C attends Roselle Catholic (N.J.), the same school that has produced countless Syracuse players and former targets — including Tyler Roberson and Malachi Richardson -- although Richardson eventually graduated from Trenton Catholic (N.J.).

Jalen Smith, a 6-foot-9 forward who visited for Orange Madness, is ranked No. 23. He’s listed as a four-star prospect out of Baltimore. He, too, has solid interest in the Orange.

Louis King, another New Jersey native, comes in at No. 35 in the updated rankings. He’s listed at 6-foot-6 on the Rivals site, and attends Hudson Catholic — the same school as Jahvon Quinerly, a 2018 point guard. King has attended three high schools in the past few years, which has been an area of concern in his recruitment for some schools.

Speaking of Jahvon Quinerly, he’s ranked No. 39 overall. He’s a 6-foot, true point guard who knows how to run an offense. He’s a lot like Tyler Ennis, but has a better shot at his age than Ennis did. He’s listed as a four-star prospect.

Brandon Slater, the most recent prospect to receive an offer from the Orange, is ranked No. 41. He’s considered as one of the nation’s top shooting guards. He’s a 6-foot-5 recruit and attends Paul VI (Va.), the same school as current Syracuse PG Frank Howard.

Eric Ayala, who’s currently a 2018 prospect, is being recruited by Syracuse as a 2017 prospect. He has the ability to reclassify (if he chooses) at the end of this school year. The Orange’s offer stands for either 2017 or 2018 — whichever he chooses. He’s ranked as a four-star prospect and attends Putnam Science Academy — the former school of Hamidou Diallo.

Jake Forrester, a name that most SU fans don’t know yet, is ranked No. 70. He, too, is a four-star prospect. The Orange have showed interest in Forrester, but still have not offered a scholarship. He’s a rising talent who stands at 6-foot-8. He attends Westtown School — the same as Reddish, 2017 prospect Mo Bamba and Brandon Randolph. (Talk about a loaded roster.)

Hameir Wright, an Albany native, is ranked No. 83. He’s a four-star prospect and reclassified to the 2018 class in 2016. He did so to give his game more time to develop. The Orange remains very interested in Wright, who attends Albany Academy For Boys.

No. 92 is Robby Carmody, who recently visited for a Syracuse game. He’s a very good scorer who attends Mars High School in Pennsylvania. He received a scholarship offer on an unofficial visit to SU’s Elite camp over the summer.

Khalid Moore, who is ranked No. 95, also received an offer at SU’s Elite camp in August. At the time, a source said Moore was arguably the best player at the camp and impressed the Syracuse coaches a lot. His offer came moments after the camp concluded.

Jeenathan Williams, a forward from Rochester (N.Y.), is ranked No. 100. He’s listed at 6-foot-5 and attends University Prep. He attended the Elite camp with AAU teammate and 2019 five-star Isaiah Stewart in August, but left without an offer.

Cole Swider, a 6-foot-7 four-star forward, also has interest in Syracuse. He doesn’t have an offer yet, but is ranked No. 104 in Rivals updated rankings. He attends St. Andrews School in Rhode Island.

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The Orange doesn’t have any commitments in the 2018 class, but it’s still very early. Clearly, the SU staff is after the best of the best, though.