Michael Gbinije commits to Syracuse

Gbinije who decided to transfer from Duke, made a visit to SU last night and it ended up with him making a commitment. Gbinije will have three years of eligibility left at Syracuse.

Spring Open Evaluation Period 27-29

Here goes the list of SU targets that will be in action this weekend. Check back for updates throughout the weekend.

2013
Tyler Ennis PG-Scored 12pts and 6ast in a win Friday night. Scored 22pts, 4rbs, and 3ast in a blowout win against the Albany City Rock. Averaged 15.2ppg and 4.7apg in 4 games over the weekend.

BeeJay Anya C-Scored 6pts, 7rbs, and 2blks in a loss Friday night. Scored 9pts, 3rbs, and 2blks in a loss Saturday morning. Finished off his weekend scoring 11pts, 6rbs, and 3blks in a win.

Goodluck Okonoboh PF-Finished with 0pts, 3rbs, and 1blk in only 11 minutes of action for a blowout win. Scored only 2pts, 7rbs, and 3blks in a loss Saturday night. Averaged 1.2ppg, 5.5rpb, 2.7bpg in 4 games over the weekend.

Jaylen Brantley PG-Scored 18pts and 5ast in a blowout win Friday night. Averaged 17ppg in 3 games over the weekend.

Chinonso Obokoh C-Watched by SU and scored 14pts, 5rbs, and 3blks in a loss Friday night. Scored only 4pts and 4rbs in a loss to Tyler Ennis and the CIA Bounce. Scored only 3pts, 7rbs, and 3blks in defeat Saturday night. Averaged 5ppg, 4.8rpg, and 1.6bpg in 5 games over the weekend.  Currently holds offers from Oregon, Villanova, West Virginia, and Miami.

Ishmail Wainright SF-Scored 8pts and 9rbs in a loss Friday night. Scored 4pts and 4rbs in a loss Saturday morning. Scored 15pts, 13rbs, and 3ast in a win Saturday night. Averaged 8.8ppg and 6rpg in 5 games over the weekend.

Stanford Robinson SG-Scored 8pts and 4rbs in a loss Friday night. Scored 11pts and 7rbs in a loss Saturday morning. Finished off his weekend scoring 12pts, 2-4 from 3pt in a win Sunday.

Jermaine Lawrence SF/PF-Scored 26pts in a win Friday night. Besides SU, he's currently being recruited the hardest by St. John's, Pitt, Rutgers, Cincy. Received high praise from scout's Brian Snow, who said after Lawrence's performance on Saturday, he could challenge for consideration in the McDonald's game.

Rysheed Jordan PG/SG-Watched by SU Friday night.

Tyler Roberson SF/PF-SU is currently in his top 5 and Kansas is starting to make a big push.

Hakim Saintil PG-Currently list interest from SU.

Al Freeman SG-Watched by SU and scored 19pts in a loss Friday night. Finished off his weekend scoring only 2pts in a win against the Albany City Rock.

Anthony "Cat" Barber PG-Watched by SU and scored 11pts, 5rbs, and 6ast in a loss Friday night. Finished off his weekend scoring 17pts, 4rbs, and 4ast in a win against the Albany City Rock.

Hallice Cooke PG/SG-Watched by SU Friday night.

2014
Noah Vonleh PF-Had an injured ankle and missed most of the weekend.

Stanley Johnson SF-Watched by SU Friday night and scored 6pts, 8rbs, and 3ast for a win against the Albany City Rock on Friday night. Scored 19pts in a win Saturday morning. In defeat scored 21pts, 9rbs, 3-5 from 3pt. Averaged 17ppg over the weekend.

Shaqquan Aaron SF-Watched by SU and scored 8pts in a win Friday night. Scored 9pts and 4rbs in a win Saturday morning. Scored 12pts in a loss Saturday night.

Theo Pinson SF-Scored 15pts in a loss Friday night. Scored 12pts and 5rbs in a loss Saturday morning. Scored 18pts, 8rbs, and 4ast in a win Saturday night. Averaged 15.8ppg in 5 games over the weekend.

Dakari Johnson C-Scored 26pts and 8rbs in a win Friday night. Scored 13pts, 9rbs, and 2blks in a win Saturday morning. Averaged 18.7ppg, 8rpg, 2bpg in 4 games over the weekend.

Ben Bentil PF-Played solid throughout the weekend and SU still remains interested.

Isaiah Whitehead SG-Claims SU is still his current favorite.

Dwayne Morgan SF-Hearing both Maryland and UNLV are going strong after him.

Phil Booth SG-Was told that he's playing very well this weekend and has sparked the interest of many coaches now. Stated a few months ago that SU was a favorite of his.

2015
Isaiah Briscoe PG/SG-Another big weekend out in Virginia for the top rated guard in his class.

Thomas Bryant PF-North Carolina is showing a lot of interest in the atheletic forward from Rochester.

Marcus Derrickson PF-Had a big weekend in Virginia over the weekend.

Recruiting outlook 2013-2015

http://www.nationoforange.com/content/syracuse-recruiting-oulook-2013-2014-2015-391/
Preview of what to lookout for as we move along in the recruiting season.

Spring Open Evaluation Period 20-22

Below is a list of players that the SU staff has shown interest in that will be in action this weekend. Check back on this page throughout the weekend. I'll have updates on who the staff are watching and any other news that take place.

2012
Tyler Ennis PG-Scored 18pts in front of JB for a big win against Team Final. Scored 9pts and 6rbs in a win over Team Takeover. In his final game for Saturday, he scored 13pts, 4rbs, and 5ast in a blowout win. Ended his weekend scoring 12pts, 6rbs, and 8ast, leading the CIA Bounce squad to a 4-0 record in the Nike EYBL.

BeeJay Anya C-Scored 8pts, 4rbs, and 4blks in front of JB on Friday night. Scored 7pts, 2rbs, and 2blks in a loss to Tyler Ennis CIA Bounce squad. Finished up his Saturday with 12pts, 5rbs, and 4blks in another loss. Ended his weekend on a high note scoring 14pts and 7rbs, 1blk. His Team Takeover squad finished an disappointing 1-3 in the Nike EYBL.

Goodluck Okonoboh PF-Foul trouble limited him to only 2pts and 6rbs in a loss. Dealt with foul trouble once again in his 2nd game, in which he only had 1pt and 4rbs in a win. Finished his weekend with scoring 6pts, 11rbs, and 5blks in a win. List of current schools recruiting him the hardest are SU, Minnesota, Georgia Tech, Pitt, UConn, and Gonzaga.

Rondae Jefferson SF-Scored 22pts in front of JB in a blowout loss to Tyler Ennis CIA Bounce squad. Scored 9pts, 11rbs, and 3ast in a win early Saturday. Finished up his Saturday, scoring only 4pts and 8rbs in defeat. Ended his weekend scoring 13pts and 10rbs in a win. Kentucky and Louisville are the latest to show interest in his recruitment.

Chinonso Obokoh C-Scored 14pts,7rbs, and 1blk in front of JB Saturday afternoon. Finished up his weekend strong in his last 2 games in victory. In the first he scored 12pts, 9rbs, 5blks, then in the second he scored 15pts, 12rbs, and 4blks. Obokoh had a very good weekend against strong competition. JB attended most of his games and has been interested in the big man from Rochester for some time now.

Jermaine Lawrence SF/PF-Has been playing well so far this weekend according to several scouts. His stock is going to rise among high-majors across the nation.

Tyler Roberson SF/PF-Was watched by the SU staff today. Remains one of the main prospects that the SU staff hopes to land.

Stanford Robinson SG-Suffered an broken nose and will not play for the rest of the weekend.

Ishmail Wainright SF-JB watched him on Friday night. Scored 11pts, 8rbs, and 4ast in a loss Tyler Ennis CIA Bounce squad. Finished up his Saturday night with 14pts and 8rbs in another loss.

Jaylen Brantley PG-Scored 9pts and 6ast in a loss. Scored 15pts and 3ast, shooting 5-7 from 3pt land in a win. SU, Georgetown, Mizzou are some of the notables that have shown interest of late.

Dayshon Smith PG-Scored 21pts in a loss for his team first game. Scored 12pts and 4ast in a win Saturday night.

Hakim Saintil PG-HS/AAU teammate of Tyler Roberson, was also watched by the SU staff.

Anthony "Cat" Barber PG-Scored 12pts, 4rbs, and 2ast in a loss opening night. Listed recent heavy interest from Duke, NC St, Alabama, Virginia, and Louisville.

Antravious Simmons PF/C-Was told that he played well in a loss. All of the high-major Florida schools were in attendance for the game Friday night.

Markel Crawford SG-Claims recent interest from SU according to scout. Is known as a good athlete and shooter.

Jabari McGee SF-AAU teammate of Crawford, who also claimed recent interest from SU. Is described as a good athlete with length that does all the little things.

Steve Haney SG-Was watched by the SU staff this afternoon.

Karviar Shepherd C-Big man from Texas claims interest from SU according to scout.

Rysheed Jordan PG/SG-Claims offer from SU among others. Maryland has been recruiting him the hardest, but in-state schools such as Villanova and Temple would love to keep him home.

2014
Dakari Johnson C-Scored 10pts, 7rbs, and 2blks in a blowout win Friday night. Game 1 on Saturday that was watched by JB, he scored 18pts, 12rbs, 3blks, and held top 2013 big man Kennedy Meeks to only 2pts. Finished up his Saturday with 12pts, 8rbs, and 2blks for another win. Ended his great weekend by scoring 15pts and 5rbs and leading his team to a 4-0 record in the Nike EYBL.

Noah Vonleh PF-Played well out in Vegas on Saturday. UNC is starting to make a big push for him.

Isaiah Whitehead SG-Was told that he had a big opening night in leading his team to victory. Still claims that SU is his current favorite.

Dwayne Morgan SF-Maryland has been recruiting him the hardest currently.

Johnnie Vassar PG-Listed interest from SU, DePaul, Kansas St, Marquette, and Cal among others.

Chris McCullough PF-Plans to have a final 5 list by the end of the grassroots season.

Shaqquan Aaron SF-Scored 10pts , 4rbs, and 2ast in a win Saturday night.

Wade Baldwin SG-Was told that he played very well in a win from an offensive output.

Theo Pinson SF-Scored 23pts and 8rbs in front of JB on Friday night. Scored 9pts, 4rbs, and 4ast in a loss to Rondae Jefferson's Team Final squad. Finished up his Saturday, scoring 19pts shooting 4-5 from 3pt land in a loss.

Stanley Johnson SF-Scored 9pts and 4rbs in a win opening night. Scored 22pts and 10rbs in a win early Saturday. Finished up his Saturday with 13pts and 4rbs in a win. Listed interest from SU, Texas, Kentucky, UNC, and most of the Pac-12.

Ben Bentil PF-SU has shown interest as of late. Was told that he struggled in action early on Saturday but is still good prospect with a lot of potential.

2015
Karl Towns C-Listed interest from most of the Big East and Kentucky.

Stephen Thompson Jr PG/SG-The son of the former Orangemen burst on to the scene Friday night and impressed national scouts such as Dave Telep among others.

Recruiting Nuggets

This Friday marks the return of the spring evaluation period, in which coaches can watch players at AAU events for the first time since 2008. The SU staff will be very busy on the road where events will take place from Pittsburgh, and all the way out to Vegas. I will have a list of players that the staff will target at those events on Thursday.

This past weekend Goodluck Okonoboh(2013 PF) and Chris McCullough(2014 PF) were both in action and had very good performances from what I was told. Okonoboh still lacks offensive polish but plays with a very high motor and is always active on both ends of the court. McCullough showed the ability to knock down jumpers, and handle the ball very well for somebody his size. Not only limited for the 4 spot, but McCullough is starting to show that he can play at the 3 as well.

The SU staff has shown a lot of interest as of late in SF Ishmail Wainright. Wainright is originally from Missouri, but now plays his high school ball at Montrose Christian in Maryland. Wainright is also going to suit up for Team Takeover this Spring/Summer, which features several other SU targets as well.

The SU staff has also recently been in touch with 2014 Philly SG Sean Lloyd. Lloyd isn't an household name at this point but he has sparked interest from other high-majors as well besides SU.

Some have wondered whatever happened to Duane Notice from Canada, who some thought was going to be one of the premier players in the 2013 class. While he hasn't been a big name in the states up to this point, which could be due to staying in Canada for high school ball. The fact still remains that he's still a good prospect who has recently earned offers from good programs such as Cincy, Mizzou, Minnesota, and New Mexico. Notice will be the backcourt mate of SU target Tyler Ennis, for their CIA Bounce squad. Should be interesting to see if SU shows interest in him moving forward.

Things have been quiet on the Kuran Iverson front. I have been told despite the issues at UConn, Iverson is still a heavy lean to stay in-state and play for the hometown Huskies. Iverson is also very high on Kentucky, so the main competition could come from them if they offer him a scholarship.

In my best guards available post that I made a few months ago. Daiquan Walker and Torian Graham were two of the better guards left that I thought SU could give a good look at. At this point it's looking like both will end up at prep schools next season, which would obviously make them unavailable for 2012.

News broke yesterday that former SU target and Duke freshman Michael Gbinije plans to transfer, and SU has already reached out. Gbinije was originally offered by SU before he committed to Duke. Also Red Autry was his main recruiter back at Va Tech. The SU staff is very familiar with him and they could end up being the most logical choice, unless Duke blocks SU from Gbinije's list due to their future ACC membership. I like Gbinije as a tall SG with a high b-ball IQ, who can shoot with range and score on drives to the hole against smaller defenders. On defense, his 6'6 size would cause a lot of problems for other guards in the zone. Below is his highlight video from his senior season in high school for those not familar with his game.

  

Nerlens Noel commits to Kentucky

In a recruitment that saw all types of twist and turns in the end, Kentucky comes out the winner. For awhile it looked to be 50-50 between SU and UK, then it seemed SU had the advantage. In the end Georgetown made a big push and seemed to be the likely choice but John Calipari was able to pull it off in the end for his Kentucky Wildcats.

SU recruiting targets in action 5-8

Today markes the first day when the AAU season begins. The following below are a list of SU targets that will be playing and I'll have updates on any new info.

2013
Tyler Ennis PG-Led his CIA Bounce squad to an elite 8 appearance in the Swish n Dish tourney out in Milwaukee.

Stanford Robinson SG-Robinson was one of the standouts in the Under Armour Grind Session event according Rivals. Still no offer by SU yet, but I expect him to be watched closely by the SU staff when the open evaluation period beins in a few weeks.

2014
Dwayne Morgan SF-Morgan listed SU, Maryland, West Virginia, and Clemson among others at the Grind Session event.

Wade Baldwin PG-Also from the Grind Session event, Baldwin claims SU, along with Georgetown, Va Tech, Seton Hall, Rutgers, and Northwestern are all showing interest.

Cassidy Ryan SF/PF-According to Scout, the Canadian combo forward listed early in interest from SU, San Diego St, USC, and New Mexico St.

2015
Isaiah Briscoe CG-Besides SU, Briscoe currently holds offers from Arizona, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Baylor, and Cincy.

Thomas Bryant PF-Evan Daniels from Scout raved about Bryant's performance this weekend. He stated that Bryant is already one of the top prospects overall in the 2015 class. Also mentioned was his ability to defend by rebounding, blocking shots, and showing a good face-up game knocking down jumpers.

Nerlens Noel update

Despite what the media has said about Noel leaning towards Kentucky or Georgetown. I have been told that SU still has a great shot and barring some last minute change(which is always possible in recruiting)SU is the most likely choice. Georgetown is the biggest wildcard here and with Calipari, you can never count Kentucky fully out.