Is it a two-horse race between Syracuse and Kentucky for blue-chipper Dajuan Coleman? Big East hoops and recruiting czar Adam Zagoria believes so. The Fizz spoke with Zagoria to get this thoughts on the summer wish list for the Orange. He has spoken with several of the top prospects Syracuse has its eye on and provided insight on what some of them are thinking.
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Obviously a continuing key for the Orange is Coleman, who Boeheim and company have been recruiting since way back in 8th grade. When The Fizz spoke with Coleman’s coach Rob Mckenny last week he indicated it was a 3 team race for the talented big man’s services between Ohio State, Kentucky and Syracuse. Zagoria sees it a little differently however:
“I think its 50-50 between Kentucky and Syracuse I know he’s thrown out other schools but in the end I believe it comes down to those 2 and it’s pretty much a toss up right now.”
Zagoria also spoke with a coach, who worked with Coleman at the Amare Stoudemire Camp, who said DC 2.0 has maintained he will not choose Syracuse just because it’s his hometown school. Coleman wants people to know he’s open to everybody.
While it‚Äôs a little concerning that Coleman makes such an effort to stress he won‚Äôt just stay local, it’s good to hear that Zagoria doesn‚Äôt believe Ohio State isn‚Äôt much of a threat currently. However, there are other prospects on the Orange radar including the heavily debated Ricardo Ledo.
Ledo is in fact still interested in the Orange and Boeheim and the boys have watched him play recently. Ledo’s recruitment is still very early and open according to Zagoria:
“Anything can happen with him. Any of the schools on his list have a chance including Syracuse. He needs to work on making his teammates better but he can score and is an elite level talent. Like I said it’s open, but I could see him at Kentucky.”
For those who don’t think the Orange are seriously considering Ledo, Zagoria believes differently. There is mutual interest between the 5 star recruit and SU, but Zagoria specifies Kentucky as a probable landing place.
Brandon Ashley is also a 5 star prospect who recently narrowed his list of schools to 7 and announced he will transfer to powerhouse Findlay Prep. Zagoria believes there is legitimate mutual interest between the Orange and Ashley:
‚ÄúThe interest on the two sides is pretty serious he‚Äôs 6‚Äô8″ talented and can score inside. Wherever he ends up will be getting a potential star.‚Äù
Zagoria also highlights Ricardo Gathers and Jerami Grant as two more guys who could end up in Orange. The Fizz will continue to keep an eye on all the SU targets. While some Syracuse fans are nervous The Per’fesser still has zero commits for the class of 2012, there are plenty of elite recruits still out there that would secure yet another big class.
Posted: Alex Plavin
