A highly regarded Syracuse recruiting class got better last Friday when 2016 power forward Taurean Thompson committed to the Orange.
Thompson, who is considered a 4-star prospect by all major services, is a late addition for Jim Boeheim’s 2016 group. The class, rated No. 17 nationally per 247Sports’ composite rankings, already included top-100 signees Tyus Battle (a point guard) and Matthew Moyer (a small forward).
A 6-9, 200-pound prospect, Thompson played his senior year of high school at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H. In February, he trimmed his list of schools to four, with Georgetown, Providence and Seton Hall making the cut as the other three candidates. Michigan State later joined the mix, however, and Thompson ultimately signed with the Orange over the Spartans and Pirates.
With Tyler Roberson and DaJuan Coleman returning to Syracuse next year, Boeheim will be able to ease Thompson into the rotation. While the freshman won’t start, he’ll have an opportunity to compete for minutes following the transfer departure of Chino Obokoh.
Redshirt sophomore Paschal Chukwu, who sat out last season after transferring into the program from Providence, will also compete for playing time down low. In addition, sophomore small forward Tyler Lydon could slide over into the frontcourt when the team goes small.