Though Syracuse basketball is on hiatus until the fall, recruiting is a year-round venture. Here are some of the latest developments as Jim Boeheim and his staff work tirelessly to secure those coveted commits from talent-oozing teenagers.
Since the Orange’s March Madness run came to an end at the hands of conference rival Duke, decisions have dominated the Syracuse basketball landscape. Some good, some not-so-good, and some TBD. Oshae Brissett decided to return for his sophomore campaign; one in which he should be one of the more dominant forwards in the league.
One forward he won’t have help from is McDonald’s All-American Darius Bazley. The jewel of Syracuse’s recruiting class chose to take his talents to the G League instead of the Carrier Dome. And in a much expected, albeit down to the wire, decision, sophomore Tyus Battle has entered the NBA Draft, though, the New Jersey native chose not to sign with an agent in the event he chooses to return to Syracuse.
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Another decision that didn’t pan out for the Orange is that of Bryce Golden, a 6-foot-9 power forward from the Class of 2018 Syracuse was hoping to land to soften the blow of losing Bazley. Golden recently chose to spend his playing days at Butler along with former Orange recruit and Duke transfer Jordan Tucker.
Mike Waters of Syracuse.com suggests that the Syracuse will now pursue Robert Braswell out of South Carolina to add to its 2018 haul.
Switching to the 2019 class, Akok Akok is a name that might garner a bit more attention from Orange fans. At least 247Sports thinks so as Akok picked up three Syracuse predictions this week. Akok is a 6-foot-8 power forward from Putnam Science Academy in Putnam, CT. UConn and Providence also appear to be in the hunt.
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