Syracuse’s rebuild under Gerry McNamara is already reaching into the future, and one of the biggest recruiting signals yet may be coming from New York forward Moussa Kamissoko.
Joe Tipton of On3 has predicted that the five-star prospect will land with the Orange, a notable projection for a program trying to climb back while also keeping an eye on the long game. Syracuse is still only weeks away from opening its exhibition schedule on Oct. 13 against UConn at Mohegan Sun, and the regular season begins Nov. 3 at the JMA Wireless Dome. But even with this season about to get underway, the recruiting picture is starting to matter just as much.
Kamissoko is a 6-foot-7 forward from New York who currently plays at Long Island Lutheran, the same school where current Syracuse guard Kiyan Anthony played his high school basketball. Rivals ranks Kamissoko as the No. 7 player in the Class of 2027. Because he is still young, there is also a chance he continues to grow and eventually moves from small forward to power forward.
He also spent time at the U18 Team USA training camp in 2026.
The appeal for Syracuse is straightforward. McNamara can point to a program in the middle of a reset, and that message can resonate with players who want to help build something instead of just joining something already finished. Syracuse has not been to the NCAA Tournament in five years, and if that drought stretches to six, Kamissoko could step into the role of being a central figure in the turnaround.
There is also the possibility of familiarity helping the Orange. Anthony’s future is still uncertain, since it is not clear whether he will remain at Syracuse beyond this season or enter the NBA Draft. If he does stay, Kamissoko would have the chance to play alongside a former high school teammate and friend, which adds another layer to Syracuse’s pitch.
NIL money matters too, and it is part of the modern recruiting equation.
Syracuse also announced its 2027 game with Rutgers on Monday. The former Big East rivals will meet on Feb. 6 at the Barclays Center, and the game will come in the middle of the ACC schedule. Rutgers, like Syracuse, finished below .500 last season.
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