One of Syracuse basketball’s last ditch recruiting efforts is coming to New York.
However, it’s not the result Orange fans wanted.
Center Osun Osunniyi announced today at a team dinner that he will join St. Bonaventure next season. He chose the Bonnies over SU and Georgetown.
The 6-foot-10 big man was originally committed to La Salle, but decommitted after a coaching change.
It was certainly going to be a battle for Osunniyi to see the floor at either of the traditional hoops powerhouses that he had offers from. At Syracuse, he would have to battle both Paschal Chukwu and Bourama Sidibe for time. The only way Osunniyi would really see the floor is if either went down with an injury. While that certainly could have happened given both of their health histories, that’s not a strong selling point to bring in a recruit.
Meanwhile at Georgetown, Jessie Govan is likely returning after testing out the NBA Draft waters without an agent. The big man was by far the Hoyas best player last season after averaging a double double. Not only was Govan standing in the way of Osunniyi playing, but Georgetown also has two frontcourt players whose fathers played in the NBA. Trey Mourning (son of Alonzo) and George Muresan (son of the tallest player in league history, Gheorghe) both stand at 6-foot-9 in the frontcourt and both could grow an inch or two given their fathers’ heights. Along with that, head coach Patrick Ewing’s NBA ties may favor playing guys like Mourning or Muresan over Osunniyi.
Osunniyi’s decision leaves the Orange’s 2018 recruiting class at three players in the cycle with guards Jalen Carey and Buddy Boeheim to go along with forward Robert Braswell.
