When Gerry McNamara was hired, Syracuse fans hoped the Orange would start recruiting like a national brand again.
Just a few months into his tenure, that’s exactly what’s happening.
Four-star shooting guard Devin Cleveland, one of the nation’s top 30 overall prospects in the Class of 2027, has trimmed his recruitment to seven schools—and Syracuse is right in the middle of the fight. Joining the Orange are Michigan, Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama, TCU and Marquette.
That’s not just another recruiting update.
It’s another sign that Syracuse is once again battling college basketball’s biggest names for elite talent.
Cleveland is a 6-foot-3 shooting guard whose blend of scoring ability, athleticism and upside has made him one of the most coveted guards in the country. He would immediately become one of the marquee commitments of McNamara’s young tenure if Syracuse can ultimately win the battle.
More importantly, the Orange continue to show up where fans want them to.
Against national contenders.
Against programs that expect to play deep into March every season.
For years, Syracuse supporters lamented that the Orange no longer seemed to be competing for these types of players.
Now, McNamara has Syracuse standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a national champion in Michigan, John Calipari’s Arkansas program, Shaka Smart’s Marquette and several other high-major powers.
That’s becoming a trend.
Whether it’s official visits from highly ranked prospects or finalists lists loaded with elite programs, Syracuse keeps appearing in conversations that simply didn’t happen consistently over the past several recruiting cycles.
Elite players don’t include schools they don’t believe can compete.
The Orange are earning opportunities.
According to recent recruiting updates, Cleveland has spoken highly about several of his finalists and is taking his time with the process as he evaluates fit, coaching staffs and long-term development.
For McNamara, that’s all he can ask.
Get Syracuse into the room.
Make the pitch.
If the Orange ultimately land Cleveland, it would be one of the biggest recruiting victory of the McNamara era.
Even before that decision arrives, however, his recruitment tells Syracuse fans something important:
Gerry McNamara has the Orange recruiting like they belong again.
