Syracuse basketball's new head coach, Gerry McNamara, is hitting the ground running as he and his team of assistants are out in force this weekend, scoping out potential future Orange stars during a crucial scholastic live period. From June 26 to June 28, college coaches have the opportunity to evaluate high school talent, and Syracuse is making sure they're front and center in this recruiting bonanza.
This weekend, the Orange are casting a wide net across several key events. Among these are DMV Live in Hyattsville, Maryland; Philly Live in Philadelphia; the Mid-Atlantic Independent School Team Camp in Allentown, Pennsylvania; and the NEPSAC showcase in Worcester, Massachusetts. It's all part of a strategic push to secure top-tier talent for the 2027 and 2028 recruiting classes and beyond.
At DMV Live, Syracuse's presence is strong. They're closely watching J'Lon Lyons, a four-star point guard from Clinton Grace Christian School in Maryland, who is already on the radar for an official visit to Syracuse.
Logan Chwastyk, a five-star center from Malvern Preparatory School in Pennsylvania, and RJ Moore, a four-star shooting guard from Ambassador Christian School in North Carolina, are also high on the Orange's list. These players, among others, represent the future of Syracuse basketball, and McNamara’s team is keen to make a lasting impression.
Philly Live is another hotspot where Syracuse is keeping a keen eye. They're focusing on Will Brunson, a four-star small forward from Rutgers Preparatory School in New Jersey, and Ian Condon, a four-star power forward from Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C.
Both have recently caught the attention of the Orange coaching staff. Malik Moore, a five-star point guard from Union Catholic High School in New Jersey, and Rowan Phillips, a four-star combo guard from Archbishop Wood High School in Pennsylvania, are also on Syracuse's radar.
The Orange are making sure these young talents know they're wanted in Syracuse.
Over at the Mid-Atlantic Independent School Team Camp, Carter Smith, a four-star combo guard from William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, and Kamari Whyte, a four-star shooting guard from Blair Academy in New Jersey, are among those being closely watched by Syracuse. Enmanuel Valera Melo, a three-star small forward from The Phelps School in Pennsylvania, is also getting attention, as the Orange look to build a well-rounded future roster.
Finally, at the NEPSAC Showcase, Jack Donohue and Declan Griffiths from The Newman School in Boston are attracting Syracuse's interest. Damian Mojica, a three-star power forward from The Masters School in New York, is planning an unofficial visit to Syracuse soon, signaling a mutual interest that could be promising for both parties.
As McNamara and his staff make their rounds, they're not just looking for talent; they're building relationships and setting the foundation for what they hope will be a new era of success for Syracuse basketball. With such a diverse and talented pool of recruits, the Orange are positioning themselves well for the future, aiming to bring the best and brightest to the Carrier Dome.
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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 🡒]