Is it a two-horse race between Syracuse and Kentucky for blue-chipper Dajuan Coleman? Big East hoops and recruiting czar Adam Zagoria believes so. The Fizz spoke with Zagoria to get this thoughts on the summer wish list for the Orange. He has spoken with several of the top prospects Syracuse has its eye on and provided insight on what some of them are thinking.
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Obviously a continuing key for the Orange is Coleman, who Boeheim and company have been recruiting since way back in 8th grade. When The Fizz spoke with Coleman’s coach Rob Mckenny last week he indicated it was a 3 team race for the talented big man’s services between Ohio State, Kentucky and Syracuse. Zagoria sees it a little differently however:
“I think its 50-50 between Kentucky and Syracuse I know he’s thrown out other schools but in the end I believe it comes down to those 2 and it’s pretty much a toss up right now.”
Zagoria also spoke with a coach, who worked with Coleman at the Amare Stoudemire Camp, who said DC 2.0 has maintained he will not choose Syracuse just because it’s his hometown school. Coleman wants people to know he’s open to everybody.
While it‚Äôs a little concerning that Coleman makes such an effort to stress he won‚Äôt just stay local, it’s good to hear that Zagoria doesn‚Äôt believe Ohio State isn‚Äôt much of a threat currently. However, there are other prospects on the Orange radar including the heavily debated Ricardo Ledo.
Ledo is in fact still interested in the Orange and Boeheim and the boys have watched him play recently. Ledo’s recruitment is still very early and open according to Zagoria:
“Anything can happen with him. Any of the schools on his list have a chance including Syracuse. He needs to work on making his teammates better but he can score and is an elite level talent. Like I said it’s open, but I could see him at Kentucky.”
For those who don’t think the Orange are seriously considering Ledo, Zagoria believes differently. There is mutual interest between the 5 star recruit and SU, but Zagoria specifies Kentucky as a probable landing place.
Brandon Ashley is also a 5 star prospect who recently narrowed his list of schools to 7 and announced he will transfer to powerhouse Findlay Prep. Zagoria believes there is legitimate mutual interest between the Orange and Ashley:
‚ÄúThe interest on the two sides is pretty serious he‚Äôs 6‚Äô8″ talented and can score inside. Wherever he ends up will be getting a potential star.‚Äù
Zagoria also highlights Ricardo Gathers and Jerami Grant as two more guys who could end up in Orange. The Fizz will continue to keep an eye on all the SU targets. While some Syracuse fans are nervous The Per’fesser still has zero commits for the class of 2012, there are plenty of elite recruits still out there that would secure yet another big class.
Posted: Alex Plavin
12 responses to “SU’s Summer Recuiting Targets: Syracuse/Kentucky 50-50 For DC 2.0”
Hey DC, its the same MO at Kentucky every year. Get a great recruiting class, start mostly freshman, lose in the NCAA tourny since there is no experience on the team, then leave after your fresh year to go to the NBA. Then repeat….
Hey Evan who was in the final four last year who wasn’t? While I want DC2 in Orange as much as the next SU fan that’s a pretty weak statement…
Also Evan, those that make a quick exit from UK to enter the NBA do so for big pay checks (provided the NBA hammers out a new agreement someday). I think the focus for selling SU to DC should be on education, family, pride and community. Both SU and UK are great platforms for reaching future Basketball goals.
Starting atleast 3 freshman phenom’s in your starting lineup can only get you so far, and without experience will most likely never bring you a national championship. At SU, DC2 can play a major role while having experienced players around him…giving him a better chance to win it all. Hard to argue with that…
Evan, I hate Kentucky and love Syracuse as much as the rest of you, but you do realize that UK has gone as far or further with freshman their last two season than Syracuse has with upperclassmen. If guys want to be 1 and done and win in a weak SEC they go to Uk, if they want to truly be battle-tested and get a degree they go to SU. Can’t blame guys for choosing UK especially when their goal is to go pro and make millions quickly
I am going to end the speculation. I am going to the Cuse. Good night everyone.
Now that would be a scoop. Thanks for reading DC.
it’s only fitting that a big man with the initials D.C. end up on the hill. That usually turns our pretty good for everyone. Go Cuse!
Coleman can go to Kentucky to greeseball Caliprari, who has 12, 5 star guys on the bench each year. In that situation, its usually not a happy experience. Too many ego’s and one mistake by him, and ther next guy might just play awesome and unseat him permanantly.
At the Cuse, he will go down as the best Center in 20 years here, be THE star, and forever embedded as a local HERO! Most guys dont make the NBA, and presuming he doesnt, Syracuse will hate the kid for leaving if he goes to Local and Nationally hated Caliprari…..
Everyone getting pretty mad. Look UK is a shady ass school and i hate cal but they also seem to get the 5 star players every yr. With that being said UK is in on all 4 of the “cant miss” big men in the class of 12 and at the end of the day Zagoria never talked to DC he just got told somthing from a AAU coach at a summer camp.
Is Syracuse really going after a kid from Findlay Prep (Ashley)? That place has NCAA sanctions written all over it along with a plane sky-writing PROBATION directly overhead for 8 hours a day (the plane does take Sundays off though).
I hope we can land jefferson as well. I think wake and nova have the lead but if we go after him hard i think its doable with all the philly connections. Kid would be the perfect fit for replacing Kris Joseph.