Syracuse basketball recruiting: Orange offer 2022 five-star forward Jarace Walker

Monday marked the first day college coaches could initiate contact with class of 2022 prospects, and the Syracuse Orange men’s basketball coaching staff didn’t waste any time.

Jarace Walker, a five-star prospect, received an offer from the SU staff on Monday afternoon.

Walker is a 6-foot-6, 220-pound small forward. He attends the prestigious IMG Academy, which has produced the likes of Michael Beasley, Jonathan Isaac and Erick Dampier, among others. Current SU center Jesse Edwards is a product of IMG as well.

Despite playing his high school ball in Florida, Walker’s hometown of New Freedom, Pa. is less than 300 miles from SU’s campus. He transferred to IMG Academy after playing on the Susquehannock High School (Pa.) ninth-grade team while in eight grade at Southern Middle School (Pa.).

Walker’s game would fit right in at Syracuse. The top-10 prospect gets to the basket with ease, is a strong finisher and has shown off a smooth long-range jumper. He’s the prototypical athletic wing that can do it all with elite talent that draws everyone’s attention. Walker can handle the ball in transition, gets separation with his speed and quickness and has great vision.

As of Monday evening, Jarace holds offers from Syracuse, Kansas State, Howard, Arkansas, Maryland and Florida, according to 247Sports. He has interest from Virginia Tech, Florida State, Georgetown and Kentucky, among others. The interest will continue to pile up and the offers will continue to roll in, but the Orange might have a weapon that most can’t compete with — a 2022 five-star point guard to team up with.

Dior Johnson, SU’s lone class of 2022 commit at the moment, will likely play a role if Syracuse has any chance of bringing Walker’s talents to Central New York. Dior has been vocal about his ability, and willingness, to recruit top players to join him at SU.

Syracuse received a commitment last week from class of 2021 four-star Benny Williams. Johnson. Afterward, Dior tweeted out “Lol told you…” once the commitment was made public. Directly or indirectly, landing a prospect of Johnson’s caliber brings attention to your program that can help recruiting for years to come.

247Sports ranks Johnson as the No. 4 player in the 2022 class, and the No. 1 point guard. The same outlet ranks Walker as the No. 6 overall player in the class, and No. 2 small forward. That type of class could not only bring excitement to Central New York, but it draws a certain type of buzz around this program on a national level that we haven’t seen in several years.