Yesterday, 4-star forward Moustapha Diagne committed to Syracuse. With Diagne’s commitment the Orange now has the No. 1 recruiting class of 2015. According to 247sports.com, SU has had a top-five recruiting class just twice in the last ten years. In that span Jim Boeheim has never had the top rated recruiting class at his disposal.
Joining Diagne in two seasons will be 5-star shooting guard Malachi Richardson, 4-star forward Tyler Lydon and 4-star shooting guard Franklin Howard. With these four commitments, SU has used up all of its allotted basketball scholarships for the class of 2015.
There has been speculation that Boeheim may consider retiring in the next few seasons. It is tough to imagine however that he would call it quits with a number-one rated recruiting class and the 1,000th win landmark each so close. In two years, Boeheim should have a legitimate shot at winning his second national title. He has stated he will retire when he “[doesn’t] feel [he] could do a good job or wanted to do it.”
It is unimaginable that Boeheim “won’t want” to coach a team loaded with so many stars. His squad will be contenders from the get-go.
If Boeheim does decide to stay on for a few more years, that could affect the status of assistant coach Mike Hopkins. This offseason Hopkins has interviewed with multiple Division I programs but has never formally been offered a head coaching job. If an offer does come his way he might be inclined to take it despite being the Orange’s “coach in waiting.” Hopkins has waited patiently in the shadow of Boeheim for many years but it seems like he would rather make a mark head coaching at different school then continue to wait for Boeheim.
For what it’s worth, Boeheim and Hopkins both must be excited about the incoming class, and the potential they have to produce on the court in the upcoming years.
Posted by: Connor Morrissette
