What a fascinating 24 hours for Syracuse basketball. In the wake of Tyus Battle verbally committing (via Twitter) to the Orange, eyes are on center Paschal Chukwu. He announced a few weeks ago that he plans to transfer to Syracuse. This would really put the cramp on SU with its scholarship situation for the upcoming season, when the program is only supposed to have ten due to the NCAA sanctions levied on the Orange last winter.
These scholarship losses can be pushed back a year however. Even with the delay, Syracuse will still have some numbers problems in the future because SU currently has four players committed in its 2015 class and one in its 2016 class. Only Trevor Cooney and Michael Gbinije will graduate after the 2015-2016 season.
This weekend the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that former 2015 San Diego State commit Brodricks Jones will be allowed to visit other schools because he had been let out of his letter of intent with the Aztecs. Following the report Jones tweeted that Syracuse is, “demonstrating some serious interest,” in him.
Will that change now that Battle looks like he’s coming to CNY? Adding Jones, a 2015 forward who‚Äôs not ranked in ESPN‚Äôs Top 100 players, wouldn‚Äôt really make sense.¬†Syracuse has appealed the lost scholarships and is awaiting a ruling from the NCAA. Judging by Battle and Jones recruitments‚Äô, maybe Jim Boeheim and company think they‚Äôre going to get some of the scholarships back.
If that’s the case, then adding another 2015 player would make more sense. Until the NCAA comes out with its appeal ruling though, the Jones recruitment is a little bit out of left field. If the NCAA does not give back some of the lost scholarships then there is really no room for Jones.
The ball is in the NCAA’s court. Once a ruling comes down, the future of Syracuse basketball recruiting will be much clearer.
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Posted: Connor Morrissette
