Syracuse’s Class of ’22 is getting full, but there might still be room for one more. Just days after 3-star Maliq Brown decided on the Orange, Chris Bunch will make his choice. Thursday at 5p the 4-star, 6’7″ small forward will decide between SU, Washington and Rutgers. It’s an interesting trio for Syracuse to be connected to. Of course, Mike Hopkins is leading the Huskies, while SU has battled (and beaten) Rutgers for years on the recruiting trail, especially as Big East rivals.
247 Sports ranks him as the 58th player nationally in his class, and believes interest is warm for SU and Washington, but cool for RU. Syracuse was the third school to offer Bunch back in April ’20. He’s taken two officials to CNY, and sounds like he’s extremely interested. The Fizz has documented how confident he is, and his showmanship quality.
“At the end of the day, it’s the Dome. I haven’t really experienced any colleges yet so I can’t really compare it to anything else. But it was a great experience being able to walk the same halls as Carmelo Anthony. Realizing what type of school that is and what it can do for me as a player. It definitely made my interest in Syracuse a lot higher.” – Chris Bunch to Mike McAllister
The Fizz queued up Bunch’s highlight reel from May, a film produced by Ball Dawgs, titled “Life & Times (Vol. 2).”
- Bunch uses his 6’7″ frame to angle into shots. As a scorer, he’s nimble enough and thin enough to insert himself into tight spaces, then get the shot up.
- He runs the floor easily. He can get up and down as quickly as anyone on the court, and can get out in front to run in transition.
- He’s confident in his mid-range jump shot. His form may need some polishing, although that’s very common for high school players once they get on a campus. His mechanics will likely be worked on to create a smoother form with more height at the release point to shoot over taller college defenders.
A more recent montage published in July shows more standard film room footage (instead of glossy, production house edits).
- He’s feathery and light on his feet. He’s not the type to work underneath the rim, grabbing rebounds or battling body-to-body. Bunch is a wing player in college, able to burst towards the basket with his long strides.
- He’s confident in his outside shot as well. Again, perhaps there’s some technique work to encourage him to rise up on shots and deliver over taller defenders. At times his outside shot can be flat-footed.
- As a benefit, his release is quick. If there’s only a fraction of second before a defender closes, he can get the shot up.
You can see why he’s listed as a 4-star talent with multiple high major schools looking at him. He’d be a terrific piece to an already successful Class of ’22.
