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We told you that the Syracuse Orange men’s basketball program was facing a pivotal recruiting cycle with the 2022 class.
So far, this Orange coaching staff has landed three strong commitments so far and remains in contention for two more big-time prospects. The success has caused a lot of Syracuse fans to unleash plenty of “BoEhEiM cAnT rEcRuIt” comments because SU currentlys sits in the top 10 among 2022 classes.
It’s pretty early in the cycle to take a victory lap, especially when Syracuse missed out on two top-50 prospects. It’s also too early to say the class couldn’t remain in the top ten.
What is interesting about the discussion around Syracuse’s recruiting is that a number of Orange fans have contended that the last few years has not seen a drop in recruiting. Many of those same fans point to the commitments of Kamari Lands, Justin Taylor and Quadir Copeland as a sign that Syracuse is “back.” It really can’t be both ways, folks. If recruiting didn’t dip, it couldn’t be back. And yes clearly there is some impact from the recruiting sanctions and loss of Mike Hopkins
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The numbers as usual tell us the truth about the upward trend the Orange are beginning to see starting with Benny Williams this year.
Syracuse MBB Recruiting
| Player | Year | ESPN rank (Top 100 Only) | 247 Rank | Rivals Rank (stars) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Year | ESPN rank (Top 100 Only) | 247 Rank | Rivals Rank (stars) |
| Tyler Ennis | 2013 | 20 | 23 | 5 (22) |
| Tyler Roberson | 2013 | 31 | 41 | 4 (39) |
| BJ Johnson | 2013 | 82 | 89 | 3 (136) |
| Ron Patterson | 2013 | NR | 175 | 3 |
| Chinosoh Okoboh | 2013 | NR | 180 | 3 |
| Chris McCullough | 2014 | 24 | 21 | 5 (19) |
| Kaleb Joseph | 2014 | 50 | 48 | 4 (46) |
| Malachi Richardson | 2015 | 23 | 34 | 4 (35) |
| Tyler Lydon | 2015 | 76 | 72 | 4 (64) |
| Frank Howard | 2015 | 94 | 79 | 4 (86) |
| Tyus Batle | 2016 | 36 | 34 | 4 (33) |
| Matthew Moyer | 2016 | 75 | 66 | 4 (40) |
| Taurean Thompson | 2016 | 76 | 74 | 4 (84) |
| Oshae Brissett | 2017 | NR | 137 | 4 |
| Bourama Sidibe | 2017 | NR | 190 | 3 |
| Howard Washington | 2017 | NR | 289 | 3 |
| Marek Dolezaj | 2017 | NR | 111 | NR |
| Jalen Carey | 2018 | 38 | 61 | 4 (53) |
| Buddy Boeheim | 2018 | NR | 349 | 4 |
| Robert Braswell | 2018 | NR | 151 | 4 |
| Brycen Goodine | 2019 | 77 | 97 | 4 (92) |
| Quincy Guerrier | 2019 | NR | 121 | 4 |
| Joe Girard | 2019 | NR | 202 | 3 |
| Jon Bol Ajak | 2019 | NR | 480 | 3 |
| Jesse Edwards | 2019 | NR | 198 | 3 |
| Kadary Richmond | 2020 | 91 | 90 | 4 (85) |
| Woody Newton | 2020 | NR | 147 | 4 (126) |
| Frank Anselem | 2020 | NR | 201 | 3 |
| Benny Williams | 2021 | 32 | 31 | 5 (21) |
| Kamari Lands | 2022 | 22 | 35 | 4 (30) |
| Justin Taylor | 2022 | 99 | 62 | 4 (54) |
| Quadir Copeland | 2022 | NR | 140 | 4 (85) |
Recruiting rankings obviously don’t always predict success at the collegiate level (as a certain 349th-ranked player has shown us). No matter what happens with the rest of the 2022 class, it’s the best-rated group since 2016 and will hopefully be the group that triggers another run like the Orange saw when they were first transitioning into the ACC.
Will that translate to on-court success? Turning these recruiting wins into more ACC wins is going to be on the coaching staff, but in the near future we shouldn’t be hearing about players not ready to contribute from the moment they step on campus. We might also hear a few more people willing to admit that yes, after 2017, Syracuse men’s basketball recruiting was not up to the standards we’ve come to expect. And that’s why they’re turning around and you’re so excited now.