Competition is intensifying for two of the most highly regarded prospects in the 2026 recruiting class, and Syracuse Basketball remains in the mix.
Five-star Jordan Smith Jr. made an unofficial visit to the hill this past Sunday. The 6 ‘2 standout is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the 2026 class and No. 1 Virginia, per 247Sports. The Orange are among Smith’s top six schools, along with Arkansas, Duke, Georgetown, Kentucky, and Indiana. SU’s staff has strong ties to both his high school and AAU programs. However, at this time, many analysts view Duke as the frontrunner to land the senior from St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Virginia.
On Monday, Smith shared photos from his visit on Instagram — a post liked by his friend and fellow Syracuse target, Deron Rippey Jr.
Rippey, a five-star guard out of Blair Academy in New Jersey, is ranked as the No. 15 prospect in the 2026 class and No. 1 in New Jersey. For now, Syracuse is among his top 10 schools, which also include ACC rivals Duke, NC State, North Carolina, and Miami. That said, the 6’2 prospect is expected to cut his list from 10 to 5 this weekend after his visit to NC State.
Syracuse fans will be watching closely as the recruitment of Smith and Rippey continues to unfold, with the Orange still seeking their first verbal commitment in the 2026 class. Still, landing one, or even both, of these prospects would make a major statement on the national stage.
