Jalil Bethea Discusses Recruiting Syracuse

Jalil Bethea, the Philadelphia Catholic League MVP shooting guard from Archbishop Wood High School in Pennsylvania, is one of Syracuse basketball's top targets for the 2024 class. He recently scored 40 points against Temple and is being recruited heavily by multiple teams.

He holds offers from Syracuse and has formed an excellent relationship with assistant coach Gerry McNamara. A highly-scoring, versatile combo guard, his On3 ratings have skyrocketed.

Coach John Mosco

Coach John Mosco has perfected recruiting in his two years leading Archbishop Wood Vikings. From developing players' leadership abilities to instilling the importance of winning meaningful games, his methods have proven successful.

Jalil Bethea, a young player on the Vikings, has been one of their greatest successes this season with some outstanding performances against quality opponents. At over 20 points per game, Bethea is making an impression on Division I coaches with his skill set, athleticism and desire to help make teammates better.

The Vikings have a formidable team, looking to improve on last year's 18-6 record. They sit atop the Philadelphia Catholic League standings and have made an impression in the state playoffs with two victories over Olympus Prep and Rocktop Academy during the first round.

One of the most critical elements in recruiting is finding a player who will fit well at college level. A great coach will go out of their way to identify these types of students and develop their abilities so they can become long-term impact players on campus.

Jalil Bethea, a graduate of Downingtown West, has become an integral part of the Wood program after transferring from Downingtown West. This season he has averaged just under 18 points and 6 rebounds per game.

He has seen his stock rise since the start of the season, which is a testament to his growth as a ball handler and rebounder, as well as his ability to hit outside shots and put the team on his back offensively. Now an early candidate for offers from Miami and Notre Dame, he plans on honing his game this summer at Westtown open gyms.

He's been an invaluable asset to the younger players in the Vikings program, teaching them how to improve their game and stressing the importance of being a good student-athlete. Additionally, he's given them some invaluable experiences which they will carry forward into their future professional lives.

Coach Mark Wood

On Friday, Syracuse women's basketball head coach Felisha Legette-Jack added two new pieces to her roster: transfers Olivia Owens and Kyra Wood from New York state. Both will play for the Orange immediately next season and are expected to be key contributors for them in the program's success.

Kristen Sharkey, an assistant coach on Legette-Jack's staff for seven seasons and leader of four NCAA Tournament appearances for the Bulls, has been promoted to Syracuse's recruiting coordinator. In this capacity she will work closely with post players Owens, Eboni Walker, Wilson and Wood to help them hone their skills and become more productive players on the court.

Sharkey enjoyed an 82-39 record and three NCAA Tournament appearances during her time at UB. Additionally, she coached several outstanding players in the MAC, including two All-MAC performers.

Bethea mentioned Syracuse as one of the schools most interested in him during an interview with On3 national analyst Joe Tipton. He stated that Syracuse offered him a scholarship in late September 2022 and he visited campus about one month later.

He has also reported to On3 that he and the Syracuse coaching staff have formed an excellent bond. Whether this is true or not, having such a close connection with such an esteemed player is certainly good news for the Orange.

Recently, two highly-rated Philadelphia area recruits who are having an outstanding 2022-23 campaign have vaulted up the rankings with On3. Jalil Bethea and Jamel Sorber are both highly rated runners on Nike's EYBL league team Final.

Bethea and Sorber both received offers from the Power 5 conferences, and are set to narrow their lists down to a top 10 before their birthdays on Sept. 13, which is an important day for high school athletes across the nation.

Syracuse has long been known for producing exceptional football talent, and Coach Mark Wood is likely to add some more high-level football players and post players for the Orange. Though their basketball program has had its share of struggles, there can be no doubt that Syracuse has plenty to be proud of on the field.

Unofficial Visits

For years, The Orange have been dominating in recruiting. That streak continues this year as their coaching staff keeps an eye on the 2024 class and one of their latest recruits is Jalil Bethea from Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx.

Bethea, who accepted an offer from Syracuse University late last summer, has been scoring big points for his high school team this season - scoring multiple games of over 30 points. Recently featured on On3, a recruitment update from On3, discussing his relationship with the SU coaching staff, Bethea continues to excel.

Recently, he has received significant offers from Villanova, Miami and Seton Hall. Additionally, his club team in Nike's EYBL league is recording an impressive 31.3 points per game.

Bethea's star has been rising as he's gained national attention, receiving offers from all the major colleges in America - including Syracuse which had been at the top of his list for some time now. SU fans have been eagerly awaiting this player for some time and it appears that soon he will make an announcement regarding his college decision.

Unofficial visits are an integral part of the recruiting process and provide you with a chance to explore if a school is suitable for you. While they do not guarantee scholarship consideration, unofficial visits provide valuable opportunities to interact with coaches and campus personnel while assessing whether or not there's fit within the college's sports program.

Furthermore, an unofficial visit is an ideal way to get acquainted with a college's dormitories and campus life. This is especially helpful for prospective students who are still in high school; they can get an accurate sense of whether the school's housing situation and amenities will suit them properly.

Unofficial visits are an excellent chance to get acquainted with a college and its sports program, but it's essential that you follow up with the coach afterward. A simple email expressing your appreciation for their time can show that you value their input, helping guarantee they remember your son or daughter when they make an official visit.

Villanova

Syracuse's basketball program has a proud and illustrious legacy, appearing in the NCAA Tournament for over 100 years and producing some of basketball's greatest players. They are one of the oldest schools in America with an illustrious alumni network to boot.

To keep their streak of NCAA appearances going, the Orange have several recruits already committed. But there are still some prospects they can add to their roster through the portal and some visits.

Jalil Bethea from Archbishop Wood has caught the attention of many in the state this year and has earned himself numerous offers from top programs across America. As a high-scoring threat for his Vikings this season, Bethea has caught many people's attention.

Bethea's recruitment is still in its early stages, but he has made several official visits and had multiple conversations with Syracuse head coach Jay Wright recently. With so much potential as a key player for the Wildcats, it would be an incredible addition if he does decide to enroll.

He boasts an impressive shooting touch from beyond the three-point line, which is a huge asset for the Wildcats. Additionally, he's an effective defender and has demonstrated strong rebounding ability in limited minutes this season.

There's a reason why he hasn't been ranked by recruiting services yet; that is because he is still developing as an athlete. If he continues to improve upon his game and establish himself as one of the better 3-point shooters in Texas, his high-major profile will only increase.

One promising freshman in the class is Jaylen Moore from Cardinal Hayes High School (Bronx, NY). At 6-foot-4, he shot well from behind the arc this season at Cardinal Hayes and has caught the attention of several high majors, including some from nearby DMV areas.

He's a prolific scorer in his high school career, but he also plays great defense and displays great instincts for the game. A gifted athlete, he can play both guard spots with ease.