Syracuse’s Emily Engstler wins Jordan Brand Classic MVP honors

The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team didn’t have any participants in this weekend’s Jordan Brand Classic in Brooklyn, however the women’s team did, in top recruit Emily Engstler. And despite playing just 16 minutes in the contest, the New York City product pulled down MVP honors for the event.

Engstler scored nine points with four rebounds and three assists in her team’s 89-88 win. While she wasn’t the leading scorer, her all-around game was what most onlookers noticed rising above the rest of the competitors. The 6-foot-2 wing has a versatile inside-outside game and is an adept passer. One specific behind-the-back move to the rim of Engstler’s was among the highlights of the event.

The Jordan Brand Classic honors marked the second straight event where Engstler put her full range of skills on display. At last month’s McDonald’s All-American Game, she had seven points, two rebounds and three assists in the East team’s 82-79 loss. It shouldn’t surprise that the 11th-ranked recruit in the country is playing well amongst her fellow high school stars. However, it’s still a great sign for what’s to come for the Syracuse women’s basketball program (which has a top-10 class coming in for 2018).

Congrats to Emily, and looking forward to seeing her out there with a promising young Orange squad for 2018-19.