The Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Scholastic, commonly known as EYBL Scholastic, is set to welcome Syracuse University as a central recruiting destination for the 2027 and 2028 classes. The league, which already fields fifteen member institutions, provides a national platform that blends elite competition with academic rigor.
A strategic hub for the Orange
Commissioner Steve Smith, who previously engaged with media outlets such as Inside the Loud House, emphasized that the addition of Syracuse strengthens the league’s ability to attract top‑tier talent. The Orange program will now operate within a structured environment that showcases players to college coaches while maintaining academic standards.
Among the prospects drawn to Syracuse is Isaiah Carter, a 2028 four‑star wing from Virginia. Carter announced his transfer from Highland School to St. James Academy and revealed that he received a scholarship offer from Syracuse assistant coach Gerry McNamara during a live event in late June 2026. His recent statistics — 12.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game for the 16U Boo Williams team — paired with a 40.5 percent field‑goal rate and 86.2 percent free‑throw accuracy, underscore his all‑around skill set.
Carter is not the only high‑profile recruit eyeing the Orange. Zion Green, a 2027 four‑star forward from Arizona, will compete for AZ Compass Prep in the league, while Ahmed Nur, a 2027 five‑star wing/forward from CIA Bella Vista, has positioned himself as a priority target. Additional names on Syracuse’s radar include Malik Moore, a 2028 four‑star point guard from Iowa, and Devin Cleveland, a 2027 four‑star point guard from Indiana, both of whom have either committed or scheduled official visits.
The momentum extends beyond the current cycle. Moussa Kamissoko, a 2027 five‑star wing/small forward from New York, is slated to visit the campus in September, and the program has already extended offers to Isaiah Clarke, a 2028 four‑star forward, and Liam Mitakaro, a 2028 five‑star point guard. These moves signal a coordinated effort by the Orange to build a pipeline of elite talent through the EYBL Scholastic platform.
The broader implication of Syracuse’s entry is a reshaping of the recruiting map. By aligning with a league that emphasizes both athletic competition and educational development, the university positions itself at the intersection of sport and scholarship, offering prospective student‑athletes a compelling alternative to traditional pathways.