Carmelo Anthony’s annual hoops showcase is back - and for Syracuse basketball fans, this year’s edition of A Very Melo Classic is loaded with intrigue.
Set for Saturday, Jan. 31 at Morgan State University in Baltimore, the fourth installment of the event will spotlight some of the most talented high school players in the country - including multiple five-star recruits who are firmly on Syracuse’s radar.
Let’s break down what to watch for, especially through the lens of Orange recruiting.
The Schedule: Six Games, Wall-to-Wall Talent
Here’s how the day shakes out:
- 11:00 a.m. ET: Gonzaga College High School (Washington, D.C.) vs.
Mount Saint Joseph High School (Baltimore)
- **12:30 p.m.
ET:** St. James Academy (Springfield, Va.) vs.
Bishop McNamara High School (Forestville, Md.)
- **2:00 p.m.
ET:** Sidwell Friends School (Washington, D.C.) vs. Archbishop Spalding High School (Severn, Md.)
- 3:30 p.m. ET: St.
John’s College High School (Washington, D.C.) vs. Saint Frances Academy (Baltimore)
- 5:00 p.m. ET: Long Island Lutheran High School (Brookville, N.Y.) vs.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel School (Essex, Md.)
- **6:30 p.m.
ET:** St. Paul VI Catholic High School (Chantilly, Va.) vs.
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
Each matchup features high-level programs, but for Syracuse fans, a few games stand out - and it starts with the nightcap.
Jordan Smith Jr. Headlines the Showcase
The marquee name from a Syracuse recruiting standpoint is Jordan Smith Jr., the 2026 five-star shooting guard out of St. Paul VI. He’s not just a top national talent - he’s a top Syracuse target.
Smith has already taken two unofficial visits to campus and has the Orange in his top six. He’s been a fixture in the national rankings and continues to shine as a dynamic scorer with elite athleticism and a polished perimeter game.
Earlier this month, Syracuse assistant coach Brenden Straughn was courtside watching Smith at the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts. Now, he’ll face off against one of the most storied programs in high school basketball: Oak Hill Academy - the alma mater of Carmelo Anthony himself.
This won’t just be a battle of top programs - it’s a chance for Smith to show out on Melo’s stage against a team that helped launch the career of one of Syracuse’s all-time greats.
Oak Hill’s David Johnson: A Name to Know for the Future
While Smith is the headliner, Oak Hill has a budding star of its own in David Johnson, a 2029 five-star wing who’s just a freshman. Johnson picked up a Syracuse offer back in August and has already shown flashes of elite two-way potential.
He’s still early in his high school career, but performances in events like this can accelerate a young player’s national profile - and Syracuse is clearly keeping close tabs.
Moussa Kamissoko: Familiar Face, Big-Time Talent
In the 5:00 p.m. matchup, Long Island Lutheran brings another elite name to the floor: Moussa Kamissoko, a 2027 five-star wing/small forward who received a Syracuse offer in December 2024.
Kamissoko is ranked among the top five players nationally in his class, and Syracuse fans might recognize the name for another reason - he was teammates last season with Kiyan Anthony, now a freshman guard for the Orange and, of course, Carmelo’s son.
Kamissoko plays with length, fluidity, and a high motor. He’s the kind of wing who can stretch the floor, defend multiple positions, and fill up a box score. If Syracuse can stay in the mix for him, he’d be a major addition.
Nash Avery: 2028 Prospect on the Rise
In the 2:00 p.m. game, Archbishop Spalding features Nash Avery, a 2028 four-star power forward who announced a Syracuse offer in September.
Avery is already a consensus top-50 player in his class, and ESPN has him pegged as high as No. 19 nationally. He brings size, versatility, and a developing face-up game that makes him a tough cover for opposing bigs.
He’s still early in his recruitment, but Syracuse’s early interest shows they’re trying to get ahead of the curve with a player who could rise even higher in the rankings.
A Showcase with Orange Flavor
Carmelo Anthony’s legacy at Syracuse is secure - NCAA champion, national icon, and one of the program’s most beloved stars. But events like A Very Melo Classic show how that legacy continues to influence the future of the Orange.
With multiple five-star targets in action - and Syracuse coaches already making inroads - this Saturday isn’t just a showcase of talent. It’s a glimpse at what could be the next wave of stars in Orange.
Circle the date. Keep an eye on the matchups. And if you're a Syracuse fan, pay close attention - some of the names lighting up the scoreboard in Baltimore might be lighting up the Dome in just a few years.