Syracuse Gets Commitment From Tyler Ennis

St. Benedict's Prep point guard Tyler Ennis becomes first member of Syracuse's Class of 2013.  (Photo courtesy of Nation Of Orange)

Syracuse may be leaving the Big East and jumping ship to the Atlantic Coast Conference at the end of next season, but the impending switch in league affiliations has not stopped Jim Boeheim from attracting top-flight prospects, which fits into the belief that the Orange can land coveted recruits despite playing in a conference where most of the members reside below the Mason-Dixon Line.

Just moments ago, Syracuse scored their first verbal commitment for next year's class when the Orange became the choice for guard Tyler Ennis.  A 6-2, 180-pound combo guard, Ennis is a consensus Top 50 prospect who comes to Syracuse out of the renowned powerhouse program at St. Benedict's Prep in New Jersey.  Ennis, who like former Orange swingman and Boston Celtics draft pick Kris Joseph is a native Canadian, could perhaps be the first of a potential domino effect for Syracuse recruits, as the Orange are still looking at fellow 2013 recruits Jermaine Lawrence and Kuran Iverson among others.  Described by college basketball insider Jon Rothstein as a "better ball-handling version" of former Villanova guard Scottie Reynolds, who Orange fans are quite familiar with from watching him battle Syracuse for four years from 2006-2010, picked Syracuse in the end over offers from other suitors such as fellow Big East competitor Louisville; not to mention Memphis, Illinois and UCLA among others.

Ennis should provide a replacement for Dion Waiters, the Syracuse combo guard who two months ago was selected fourth overall in the NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers despite never starting a game in his two years wearing an Orange uniform.  His ability to play both at the point and off the ball will prove invaluable for Boeheim in his freshman year and beyond, as he can not only back up Michael Carter-Williams at the point, but also slide into the starting shooting guard spot that will be vacated by Brandon Triche upon his graduation next May.  His commitment also provides an instant credibility boost to Syracuse's recruiting class next year after the Orange already secured DaJuan Coleman and Jerami Grant for this season to join a team that may be deeper than last year's squad that reached the East regional finals with a 34-3 record.

For Syracuse fans that have yet to see what Ennis can do, the following highlight video (courtesy of Nation Of Orange) should be a pleasant sight for you.