It’s been well chronicled how Syracuse has struggled to recruit with NIL and the transfer portal now being a major part of college basketball. 2022’s six-man recruiting class (seven if you include transfer Mounir Hima), will likely be its largest for a while. But, even though the Orange have had small classes in recent memory (Benny Williams was SU’s only recruit in 2021), they added through the portal with Cole Swider, Jimmy Boeheim, and Symir Torrence for last season. But, with nobody on the board for 2023, it’s time to worry.
The good news for Syracuse is that it’s made some inroads in the 2024 class. Elliot Cadeau was offered a three-year, seven-figure NIL deal by major SU supporter Adam Weitsman, but he chose to go to North Carolina. Now, Weitsman has posted on his Instagram story that he is close to landing a separate prospect on a deal, and that might be 2024 four-star Elijah Moore.
Moore announced his top five earlier this week which included Syracuse. The Bronx, NY native officially visited the Orange in October and attended the Orange Elite Camp in August. SI’s Mike McAllister reported that Moore could make a decision by the end of January, and if he joined the Orange, it could propel SU’s recruiting into the future.
A 2024 commitment could persuade a 2023 straggling recruit to consider the Orange, or help SU out in the transfer portal with potential departures from seniors Joe Girard III, Jesse Edwards, and Symir Torrence. Not to mention it’s likely an underclassman transfers out because of experiences this season. Moore could change everything.
The shooting guard from Cardinal Hayes high school has been on the Orange’s radar for a while, the Orange officially offered him in November, but as mentioned earlier he attended the Elite Camp in August and had a lot of great things to say about SU when breaking down his finalists to on3’s Joe Tipton.
“Syracuse feels great. I’ve been there twice and the experience was great,” Moore said. “The coaches are really cool guys and they have that level of support and knowledge I can see myself playing with in two years.”
On top of that, he opened up to McAllister about his visit to SU back in the fall, and how much of an impact Jim Boeheim had on him (a hint Boeheim could be coaching well into the future?).
“The best part for me was being able to go to coach’s house and have dinner with the team,” Moore said. “Coach Boeheim is a legend and has done many things in the basketball world. Being able to have dinner in his house and play pool with the guys, laugh and joke was amazing. All of his pictures, frames, and awards is one thing that really stood out.”
It seems Moore values the Orange quite highly, and could be getting compensated for his services if he were to choose Syracuse later this month. Only time will tell if SU can land its recruiting building block of the future and change the narrative that has built up over the past few months.
