Friday’s action at Babson College started at noon, but still was a jam-packed festival of recruiting. Syracuse coaches, among many other high profile schools, strolled from gym to gym for nine consecutive hours of games. Their reward: multiple hugs, dap-ups, and lengthy conversations with top tier recruits. While there were over 400 prospects playing throughout the four courts, there were five particular standouts that should make Orange fans extremely excited for what’s to come on the recruiting trail.
Quinn Costello, Newman School, 2026
Costello, following up on his already monstorous surge in the recruiting rankings this summer, put on a show for scouts in Babson’s main gym. He patrolled the paint like a true power 4 big man, while also having the quickness to step out and contest shooters. Even though he is advertised as a point-forward, he still does his job on the glass and helps to jumpstart the transition game. Costello really shined on offense today. In the second half, he worked his way through two defenders (As a 6-10 forward, by the way) and flew into the paint with a thunderous slam. This highlight play came directly after he forced an opposing shooter to alter his follow through on the defensive end. Although it gained a lot of noise from the sizable spectator crowd watching, this 45-second sequence was a small display of what college coaches are recieving. The defensive game has always been. Yet in the last year, Costello’s offense and playmaking has reached new heights.The guard-like handles and the eye for seeing the entire floor as a passer has catapulted him into the major D1 comversation. Syracuse recently offered him, and will look to push even harder for a commitment following the great game.
Imahri Wooten, Redemption Christian Academy, 2026
In a world of stat-biased recruiting, it’s hard to become a top ranked recruit without being the team’s lead ball handler. Wooten has become a sensation in the recruiting world through just doing his job; On Friday, he did his job extremely well. Multiple reports and recruiting insiders have praised Wooten’s character and overall coachability. I had the chance to see that firsthand. Starting in warmups, Wooten high-fives teammates and leads by example with his game-level effort in layup lines. Once the actual game started, he made the right play for 40 minutes straight. He locked down his man to perfection, even fighting three screens in the same possession in order to get a strong contest. Instead of leaking out for easy points on a breakaway, Wooten continually stayed home and grabbed rebounds. Once Wooten got down the floor to set up the offense, he was double teamed immediately. But rather than trying to force a shot and boost his stats, he made the smart pass to set up teammates for some ridiculously easy buckets. Wooten has received an offer from Syracuse, but has reportedly loved his visits with schools such as Missouri and Auburn. This will be a true battleground to keep Wooten in New York.
Amir Jenkins, Worcester Academy, 2026
In one of the final games of the day, rising senior Amir Jenkins was on a different level. Jenkins was playing in front of a star-studded crowd of college coaches: Syracuse, Michigan and Michigan State, UCONN, Illinois, and Providence. This did not faze him; Infact, it might’ve helped him play better. Jenkins controlled the floor in every aspect. He played a ferocious full-court press defense, easily beating the opposing team’s screens. Jenkins would consistently take the ball up the court, drive through the paint with effortless ball handling and wait for a second or third defender to latch on, and then throw an amazing kick out pass to a shooter for an open-look three. Even at the highschool level coaches could see that he is the type of player who makes the teammates around better. After his (Many) highlight plays, Jenkins would pop immediately back into the full court press; No elaborate celebration was nessecary. I talked to many coaches about Jenkins, with the phrase “He’s a gamer” and “He’s a winner” coming up multiple times. Jenkins has burst onto the scene in the 2024/25 basketball season, and is beginning to stack up offers from fellow northeast schools such as Boston College and Creighton. Syracuse has expressed interest, and would become a sensible landing spot once offered.
Josiah Adamson, CATS Academy, 2027
Adamson had the best motor of anyone I watched today. After a second hall offensive possession full of passes, screens, cuts, and pump fakes, Adamson jumped out for an effortless steal and bucket. He doesn’t relent; He makes an impact play every possesion. Once he gives the ball up, he looks to better position himself to help out the rest of the offense. When he is handling the ball, get ready for a lightning-fast first step off of the dribble combined with a strong set of lateral moves. He was the only player I watched today who looked just as talented offensively with or without the ball. This rare trait will help him tremendously down the line: He can fit well into the various schemes that college coaches want to run. Late in their first game of the day, Adamson was able to effectively lead the charge in transition. He is able to quickly and correctly decide whether to pass forward or wait to set up a play. Adamson received a call from Syracuse last week, just as the 2027 recruiting window began to open. With a talented CATS team, look for Adamson to have a steller junior season and build upon his great early impression today.
Alonzo Archbold, Hotchkiss, 2027
Playing his first game with his new school, Alonzo Archbold dominated from the moment he stepped onto the court. Archbold used his 6-8 frame and quickness to deter virtually any opposing players from trying to go inside; Those that tested Archbold had their shots swatted off of the backboard, sending the crowd into a groan of agony. Hotchkiss was a strong transfer fit for him: A guard heavy team with multiple ball handlers, and in need of a paint presence to be able to open up offensive spacing. Archbold was a rebound magnet, and made correct outlet pass reads to send his team on various fast break oppurtunities. He finishes strong at the rim, not shying away from the contact, and even stuffed a second half dunk on two defenders at the rim (And received a chorus of headtap celebrations from his team’s bench). His physicality on both ends of the court wears an opposing team down. Archbold was invited to the Syracuse Elite Camp last summer. He will continue to be on their radar and has time to develop even further with his junior season upcoming.
With the on-campus arrival of star transfer Nate Kingz, Friday was already a news-packed day for the Syracuse staff. And after watching their prospects ball out against the best in the Northeast, the excitement for the potential of another legendary recruiting class began to build. Saturday features 12 hours of games, and nearly 20 Syracuse prospects in action over the course of the day. Check back tomorrow for a comprehensive review of Day 2’s standout players!
