Jim Boeheim, Syracuse Coaches Made Big Impression on Marcus Adams During Visit
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All Syracuse caught up with Elev8 Elite head coach Cory DeSanti, who is priority Orange target Marcus Adams' AAU coach, to discuss the recent official visit, an update on a decision timeframe and what type of player Syracuse is targeting. Of note, the Syracuse coaching staff was on point with its message to Adams and how he would fit.
"I thought they did phenomenal," DeSanti said. "The staff was really in sync, they were all on the same page. Expressing what they wanted from Marcus and how they were going to use him. I thought it was a clear picture."
Attending the game against Virginia to see the JMA Wireless Dome atmosphere was important, as was Adams' one on one conversation with head coach Jim Boeheim.
"I think it was a huge impact," DeSanti said. "When you meet Boeheim face to face, it's just a totally different experience. Just him talking to him alone was a game changer. To hear a Hall of Fame coach and all of the experiences he's been through, it was big time. I think Marcus was kind of in awe of the situation.
"I think one thing, his sons just leaving not too long ago and their ability to play under him, was huge. We kind of watched a bit of a documentary back home over here and got to see it. To see it in person, as long as Syracuse has been around, Jim Boeheim has been around. So most kids know the name. For Marcus, he did know of him, he's aware of Carmelo. Just speaking with Jim, it was great. He really does understand how to relate to the players and what they're looking for. For Jim to tell Marcus, 'look I've been here before with Carmelo. This is something I can provide for you.' It worked out really good. It was a great experience."
When All Syracuse spoke with Adams after his visit, he indicated a decision was possible by the end of February. However, he also recently tweeted that, despite releasing his top five, his recruitment is still wide open. So where do things currently stand regarding a decision timeframe?
"I think it's possible a decision could be made by the end of the month," DeSanti said. "I think more realistically the decision will probably come mid-April or end of April because, when his (high school) season ends, he's going to want that chance to play AAU one more time. To see if there's any other school coming about. I can't say for certain, but I feel like he's really close to a decision. I think he just wants to make sure that he gives everybody a chance to hear them out. With playoffs and everything, it's been really hard to schedule official visits. I'm glad he got the Syracuse visit in, but he's busy every weekend from here on out unless they get knocked out. I think that's the thing that's going to extend the decision a little bit is just to finish up school. And to at least entertain the other schools that want to do visits with him."
What type of player is Adams and why has he become a priority for so many schools?
"They are going after a pro," DeSanti said. "As someone who has coached him for a long time, he is someone who can score from anywhere. He's what they call a level scorer. He's a knock down three point shooter, he hits it at a high clip. He can make it coming off screens, he's really built like a point forward. He can handle the ball, distribute for his teammates and he's really unselfish. He's very efficient. He knocks down free throws over 80%, he dunks everything, he's got a great mid-post game.
"Defensively, he's active on the defensive end. He's big. He's 6-7 to 6-8 and he can really rebound the basketball. In a system like Syracuse that has a lot of young guys and guys that are highly energetic, he's a guy that can fit in because, in the Virginia game the other day as they were coming down the stretch they were having a hard time getting a bucket. Marcus is the guy you can call upon to say, alright, you've got to make something happen. We need a play made, we need a bucket. Marcus can deliver that at any point and time."
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