Syracuse University’s basketball program is witnessing an unprecedented influx of elite recruits for the class of 2028, according to the latest ESPN national rankings.
More than ten prospects who have cracked the top forty are now on the radar of the new coaching staff, headed by head coach Gerry McNamara, who has intensified outreach since the contact period opened on June 15.
The rankings not only highlight the depth of talent but also underscore the strategic focus on junior players from diverse geographic pockets across the country.
Top‑ranked targets
Mason Collins, a wing graduating from The Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware, sits at No. 6 in the ESPN 2028 rankings, making him the highest‑rated prospect on Syracuse’s list.
Isaiah Hamilton, a wing from Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, holds the No. 9 spot nationally and already possesses a scholarship offer from the previous Syracuse staff, a signal of early interest.
Xavier Skipworth, also attending Montverde Academy, ranks No. 12 overall and was extended an offer by the former Syracuse staff, adding another front‑court prospect to the mix.
Michai White, a point guard at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, is positioned No. 17 and has drawn the attention of the new staff, while Malik Moore, a point guard from Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, sits at No. 27 and has been in contact with Syracuse coaches.
A coast‑to‑coast pursuit
Rowan Phillips, a combo guard from Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, Pennsylvania, occupies No. 28 and has received outreach from Syracuse, whereas Kevin Wheatley Jr., a wing from Masters Academy International in Stow, Massachusetts, has taken an unofficial visit to the campus. Logan Chwastyk, a center at Malvern Preparatory School in Malvern, Pennsylvania, earned a scholarship offer on June 15, and Liam Mitakaro, a point guard from CIA Bella Vista in Phoenix, Arizona, was offered last month. Will Brunson, a small forward from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, has previously visited Syracuse unofficially, and Isaiah Carter, a wing from the Highland School in Warrenton, Virginia, received a scholarship offer from McNamara on June 27.
The geographic spread of these prospects — from the East Coast of Delaware and New Jersey to the Midwest of Pennsylvania, the Southeast of Florida and Georgia, the Northeast of New Hampshire, and as far west as Arizona — illustrates a deliberate effort to build a national pipeline. Each interaction, whether an official visit, an unofficial trip, or a scholarship offer, reflects a calculated attempt to secure commitments before the next recruiting cycle.
The surge of top‑forty talent signals a potential reshaping of Syracuse’s roster in the coming years, as the new coaching staff leverages early relationships to lay the groundwork for a competitive future.