A month ago, former Syracuse commit Darius Bazley chose to leave the Orange for the ranks of the NBA’s G League. Now with an unexpected extra scholarship open late in the recruiting cycle, SU is scrambling to find his replacement. Wednesday, Syracuse offered 2018 forward Robert Braswell.
Blessed to receive an offer from Syracuse üôèüèæüî∂ pic.twitter.com/DsRFxv5W5k
— R. Braswell (@caseballer20) May 2, 2018
Braswell is a 6-9 forward out of Blythewood, South Carolina. He isn’t ranked on 247Sports’ composite formula, but the site puts him at the No. 168 recruit in the Class of 2018 in its individual rankings, good for three stars.
Braswell’s jumping ability is unmatched in the state of South Carolina. Literally. He is the reigning state champion in the high jump (he jumped 6’6” last season) and shows off that ability when he bounces off the basketball court. There is no shot off the rim out of reach for Braswell to bring down or put back, and he seems to have the court awareness to know when to step over on defense for a big block. He also spends a lot of time on the three-point arc and takes a good shot from long range, but it won’t be what brings him success at the next level.
Braswell has 10 D-I offers, but only one from another Power 5 school (Oklahoma State). His high school coach told Syracuse.com’s Mike Waters Braswell has narrowed his list down to three schools: Syracuse, OK State and Massachusetts. Other Power 5 schools have shown interest in his game – such as Creighton, Kansas State and Texas A&M, but none have offered a scholarship.
For Syracuse, Braswell offers one of the most viable options left on the board after losing Darius Bazley very late in the recruiting cycle. He’ll fit in perfectly into the bottom of the 2-3 zone with his 6-9 frame and leaping ability. Braswell likely wouldn’t provide the five-star minutes Bazley would have, but could grow under a player such as Oshae Brissett into a dominant rebounder and scorer with his athleticism. If Tyus Battle leaves, Braswell makes a thin Syracuse roster a little deeper. Even if he isn’t proven as an ACC-level recruit yet, there is little downside in the Orange taking a shot on Braswell by offering a scholarship.
Posted: Nathan Dickinson
