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via 247sports
The 2015 SU basketball class will be playing together, but not at the Carrier Dome to start. Franklin Howard has been added to the roster of the Mary Kline Classic, joining Malachi Richardson and Tyler Lydon. All three players have given verbal commitments to the Orange.
Alex Kline, a student at Syracuse University, started the Mary Kline Classic. The event has one game of high school underclassman, which includes all three Syracuse commits. Also included is a second game featuring high school seniors who will be at college in the fall. Included on the roster are Thomas Bryant, Moustapha Diagne and Cheick Diallo, who are all undeclared but considering Syracuse. Diallo was a participant on last year’s team as well.
We have seen in the past how successful these type of tournaments can be for players before they enter college. The fact that all three commits will be playing together is an added bonus. Cohesion is crucial in college basketball. Getting a feel for teammate’s styles of play and basketball instincts is usually done during practice, but the 2015 class will get a head start.
This tournament should give Syracuse’s three commits a chance to learn from each other before they enter the ACC. The event will take place on May 31st.
Another positive of all three commits playing in the tournament is a look at the alumni who have participated in the past. Although the tournament was created in 2011, familiar names have played such as Tyler Ennis, Tyler Roberson, Karl Towns, Rondae Jefferson, Wayne Selden, Isaiah Briscoe, Isaiah Whitehead and Ryan Arcidiacono. That is pretty good company for SU’s newest recruits.
Franklin Howard missed his junior year due to a knee injury so this tournament will be a big spotlight for him to showcase his talents. Howard could make a similar jump that Michael Carter-Williams did from shooting guard to point guard during his tenure with the Orange. He also is currently ranked #58 on Rivals 150. Considering he missed an entire season, he could make a jump into the Top 25, depending on his senior campaign.
Posted by: Zephan Mayell
