This past week, Scout.com released its updated Class of 2018 basketball recruit rankings. The Orange already has one hard commit in the class, but SU has many more targets it is trying to woo to Central New York. Here’s how Syracuse’s commits and targets stacked up in the latest rankings.
Darius Bazley #13 ‚Üë 30
Bazley made the biggest strides of any player in the top 50 by moving up from 43rd to 13th. The five-star commit is the lone player the Orange has locked down for 2018. The Ohio product had a phenomenal season with his Chicago-based Meanstreets AAU team, a program that has produced the likes of Anthony Davis, Derrick Rose, Eric Gordon and Patrick Beverley. Bazley showcased an all-around game by leading the team in points, rebounds and blocks. Bazley is making an official visit to SU on September 8, the same weekend as SU’s next biggest target Jalen Carey. There was a lot of talk that Bazley played above his ranking, now he’s proving it and receiving that boost.
Jalen Carey #79 ‚Üì 9
The aforementioned Carey checks in inside the top 80, however his dip isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. The point guard, who listed SU in his top six last week, fits the bill of a Syracuse player with his length and athleticism. Remember, these rankings are eye-tests of how a player would fit a general program. So while Carey may come in at 16th best point guard on Scout’s list, he slots in higher on the Orange’s rankings because of his peripherals.
Eric Ayala #82 ‚Üì 2
Ayala may have dipped ever so slightly in the rankings, but the number next to his name isn’t the most intriguing thing about the guard. Ayala is still mulling reclassifying to the Class of 2017. The Orange is one of the teams that would certainly welcome his early arrival. It was earlier reported that Ayala would not reclassify, but that has since been reopened with pushes from other schools for him to join the Class of 2017.
Nate Roberts #168 ‚Üì 28
Roberts recently put Syracuse in his top five and set up a visit for late September. His Brewster Academy ties can only benefit the Orange with Taurean Thompson and CJ Fair being alums of the prep school.
