Here on August 12, 2023, Syracuse currently ranks 11th in 247 Sports’ Class of 2024 recruiting class rankings. That’s good for fourth-best in the ACC behind North Carolina, Duke, and NC State. While Elijah Moore and Donnie Freeman are both fantastic additions, your fishing net can never be too narrow. Add in both Judah Mintz and JJ Starling could be getting ready for the NBA season at this time next year, the net becomes even wider. Well, one of the best high school products in the country made a game-changing move earlier today, and he could potentially join Moore and Freeman because of it.
To say it will be a dogfight for Flagg’s services would be a massive understatement. 12 schools have entered the ring so far, including Duke, reigning champion UConn, Kansas, and Villanova. That’s the type of buzz Flagg has generated. Multiple blue bloods are interested, and thanks to his reclassification we could see more. But the Orange, at minimum, have a compelling case given the new regime and its early recruiting success.
Go ahead and read that again. “An excellent passer and finisher, a developing shooter”. When’s the last time those descriptions fit a Syracuse player above the height of 6-6? Heck, even had someone that big that was a threat from beyond the arc. He only attempted 52 threes this past season, but Adama Sanogo could knock down a long shot when he needed to during the Huskies’ championship run. Frankly, SU would be silly to not at least try.
To better gauge the admittedly slim chances at Flagg, it’s important to assess where Syracuse should be entering 2024-25. This upcoming season is sort of a bridge year that isn’t a bridge year. The standards of the Big East glory days are but a pipe dream right now, but expectations to approach the bubble aren’t extreme given the talent on the roster. So what’s the pitch? Finish the job. Be the centerpiece of the final stages of bringing the Orange back to national prominence.
The building blocks of the class of 2024 are already in place and garnering more national attention. Freeman shined at a showcase earlier this week, one which several of the best young players in the country attended, including DJ Wagner and, you guessed it, Flagg. Freeman hasn’t taken the court yet, but he could still help out SU’s recruiting efforts. Additionally, Moore won MVP of an AAU Tournament last week. Both Freeman and Moore have seen their national stock rise lately. Their potential could rise even higher if Flagg joins the core.
Players of Flagg’s caliber reclassifying come once in a blue moon. Naturally, it’s an extremely heated contest for him. As far-fetched as it may seem, don’t rule out Flagg to Syracuse. That being said, Adrian Autry and company have to get cooking ASAP.
