Syracuse basketball is making waves in the recruiting world, with first-year head coach Gerry McNamara spearheading efforts to connect with top-tier talent for the 2028 class. Since the contact period opened on June 15, McNamara and his team have reached out to numerous rising high school juniors, aiming to bolster the Orange's future roster.
One standout prospect catching their attention is Rowan Phillips, a four-star combo guard from the Philadelphia area. Standing at 6-foot-6, Phillips is a top-20 national prospect according to 247Sports, and he's been hearing from some of the biggest names in college basketball. Schools like Duke, UConn, Auburn, Alabama, and Michigan State have all expressed interest, highlighting the competitive landscape Syracuse finds itself in.
Phillips, who plays for Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, Pennsylvania, has a robust basketball resume. He's previously played for Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and is currently showcasing his skills with Team Final on Nike's EYBL circuit. This AAU season, Phillips is averaging an impressive 18.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, shooting nearly 49% from the field.
Recently, Phillips put on a show at the Philly Live event, scoring 30 points in a victory over St. John's College High School, a powerhouse from Washington, D.C. This performance was witnessed by McNamara and Syracuse assistant coach Ryan Daly, underscoring Syracuse's serious interest in Phillips as a key target for their 2028 recruiting class.
Phillips' recruitment is heating up, with a scholarship offer sheet that includes programs like Rutgers, Oklahoma State, Penn State, VCU, and Ole Miss. According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, he's positioned at No. 33 nationally, No. 4 at shooting guard, and No. 3 in Pennsylvania. Rivals Industry Ranking echoes this sentiment, placing him similarly at No. 33 overall and No. 8 at shooting guard.
Back in August 2024, Phillips took an unofficial visit to Syracuse, participating in the program's annual Elite Camp. This visit could be a pivotal moment in his recruitment, as Syracuse looks to secure his commitment amidst stiff competition.
Phillips isn't the only talent Syracuse is eyeing from Team Final. His teammates, Carter Smith, a four-star combo guard, and Logan Chwastyk, a five-star center, are also on Syracuse's radar, each holding offers from the Orange. As McNamara continues to build his program, securing commitments from players like Phillips and his teammates could set the stage for a bright future in Syracuse basketball.
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For Syracuse, the appeal is obvious: Whyte is the kind of perimeter prospect who can give a program both upside and local relevance, especially with the staff looking to sharpen its footprint in the Northeast. His recruitment is still developing, but the buzz around him is building fast, and Syracuse is among the programs pushing hardest as it considers whether to move toward a scholarship bid. [Read more 🡒]