Syracuse Is Pushing Early For A Fast-Rising New York Forward

Syracuse basketball keenly eyes four-star prospect Damian Mojica, who is set to visit the campus again this winter, setting the stage for a key recruitment battle.

Syracuse basketball is keeping close tabs on one of the top New York prospects in the 2028 class, and Damian Mojica looks like a name the Orange plans to stay in on.

Mojica, a four-star power forward from Yonkers, N.Y., has already drawn a Syracuse offer and now has a fall check-in on the schedule. Two sources confirm to Inside the Loud House that Orange assistant Ben Lee, Mojica’s lead recruiter, is expected to be at an open gym at The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., where Mojica plays. The school competes in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council, better known as NEPSAC.

The 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward has been climbing fast, breaking into the top 100 nationally in the high school junior class. Syracuse extended its scholarship offer on July 13, shortly after Mojica took an unofficial visit to campus in late June, as first reported by Inside the Loud House.

That visit already gave Mojica a memorable moment. When he was on campus earlier this summer, he met Syracuse basketball legend Carmelo Anthony.

There may be another trip to the Hill coming later. Inside the Loud House is told that Syracuse and Mojica are discussing a winter unofficial visit so he can attend an SU game.

Syracuse is one of several programs involved early. Mojica’s offer list also includes Purdue, Oral Roberts, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Arkansas-Little Rock, East Carolina, Kennesaw State, Wake Forest and Oklahoma State. UConn, the winner of national titles in 2023 and 2024, has also recently reached out.

The Orange has had eyes on Mojica beyond the recruiting trail, too. During the latest AAU season, he played with several other Syracuse recruits for the Bronx-based PSA Cardinals’ 16U team. He averaged 15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 62.0 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three and 62.5 percent at the line.

Syracuse coaches also watched Mojica and the PSA Cardinals during the most recent grassroots season, including at July’s Peach Jam in North Augusta, S.C.

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