2019 Syracuse basketball target Joe Girard talks recruitment

2019 Syracuse Orange basketball target Joe Girard has had a pretty busy basketball summer, running with the Albany City Rocks AAU program and just recently trying out for Team USA. While he just got back to New York from USA tryouts in Colorado, the 6-foot-1 guard quickly transitioned to play in the Rumble In The Bronx tournament this past weekend.

As New York State’s all-time leading high school basketball scorer Girard has a long list of D1 suitors at this juncture. Of course, Syracuse is one of them and Girard is expected to trim his list of schools soon.

“I was supposed to do it this past week but everything just got so busy when I got back from Colorado,” Girard said. “I’m hoping to do it in the upcoming week if not this week and I’ll be down to 5, maybe 6 (schools).”

Throughout his recruitment Girard has shown a keen understanding of the process, acknowledging that there are multiple routes to take toward eventually playing professional ball. He cited Jimmer Fredette — a fellow Glens Falls product — as an example of someone who played at a non-P5 school and still made it to the professional ranks. He noted the importance of picking a program that can win while also being able to showcase his abilities at the same time.

For what it’s worth, 247’s crystal ball rankings have Duke as the favorite to land Girard and Michigan just behind. Girard’s dad played for John Beilein back when he was coaching at Le Moyne College in Syracuse. As it relates to Syracuse specifically, Girard said that Gerry McNamara is his primary recruiter and talked of their relationship fondly.

“Syracuse is the hometown school basically. Why wouldn’t you want to be in front 30,000 fans during home games, legendary coach like coach Boeheim? There’s no better place for me than to learn from G-Mac.”

Girard said he has a good relationship with McNamara and that they FaceTime weekly. He mentioned that Boeheim has been in contact with him, letting him know how Syracuse has used guards like him in the past. Girard said that Boeheim likened him to both Trevor Cooney and McNamara. Cooney was a bit bigger of a guard but Girard said that he can be used more similarly to McNamara where he can play either guard position.

Girard will be headed down to Peach Jam with the City Rocks next month and is expected to decide on a college before the start of his senior basketball season. Syracuse is projected to have at least four guards on its roster as it stands now for 2019-2020.