Earlier today, Syracuse announced the addition of assistant coach Brendan Straughn. The former coach at George Washington, Saint Joe’s and Loyola Maryland fills the final coaching spot on the SU staff, which was vacant after Adrian Autry’s promotion. Straughn played his college ball at D3 Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, right near both Baltimore and Washington D.C, and was a three-year captain. He also won two Maryland state titles coaching at Eleanor Roosevelt High School.
We say all that to say this… Straughn should be instrumental in recruiting players from the DMV area. Baltimore and Washington DC produce fantastic players year after year. There are plenty of great basketball high schools (Oak Hill, Gonzaga Prep, DeMatha, etc) in the area which churn out four-and-five star talent. Just look at what Judah Mintz did in his freshman year.
Class of 2024 power forward Donnie Freeman is the 33rd-best prospect of his class, and SU is right on his tail.
The Orange have been recruiting the 6-foot-8 forward since he was in eighth grade, with Autry leading the way on the recruitment. Now that Red will be busy shaking hands and kissing babies, Straughn can step right in and seal the deal. The two have an AAU connection, as Straughn used to coach Team Takeover, where Freeman now plays AAU. Freeman just scheduled his official visit to SU today, and that came after the announcement of Straughn.
There’s a lot to be excited about with the new direction of Red Autry. Hopefully Freeman buys in, as everyone in the 315 already has.
