Class of 2025 PG Luke Fennell (Australia) COMMITTED & SIGNED TO SYRACUSE (10/23/24)

[Bulldog04]

All of this is great, but need the winning to come this year. No excuses.

So winning 20 games last year (hasn’t been done in a decade) with a group of misfits wasn’t good enough for you for a year 1 head coach ? Now there’s no excuses for year 2? Man, what an opinion

 

[Ernj]

This might be the best quote from a player I have ever seen. And if it at all indicates the culture that Red has in place and is selling, predicated on actual player development, this program is going to thrive:

LUKE FENNELL
"I wanted to be around people that are hungry, people that want to be the best versions of themselves and still haven't reached that stage of being a pro yet. I'm excited to be around that high-pressure environment where iron sharpens iron, everyone wanting to be great, so I think that's the environment that's gonna help me."

Anybody else read that with a bad Aussie accent??

 

[SUFaninNJ]

So, SU didn't pull him away from Cal and Louisville but instead programs that are "like" Cal and Louisville?! Yes, I realize that I'm being pedantic. He sounds like a great pick up. I can't wait to see him driving around campus in his Big Red Car.

 

[Goin' Deep]

Kind of reminds me more of an athletic Buddy Boeheim...
What impresses most right now is his use of either hand on offense.
He's amphibius...

 

[AZOrange]

Red sticking with strategy of signing guys no one has visibility on. This will continue

 

[DilemaCuse]

I was worried that an internal hire wouldn't bring a new set of eyes and ideas to the program.

But from my distant viewpoint it seems like we are witnessing some changes to the program to get caught back up to where we should be or used to be, new recruiting territories, international recruiting, use of analytics, outside hires not having to be former players etc.

 

[Hopkins16]

Red sticking with strategy of signing guys no one has visibility on. This will continue

As I said before, we are great with identifying talent early to watch them blow up and lose interest in us once the big boys get in the picture. Red has found a way to combat this by quietly seeking and signing under the radar players. We will soon be able to close on the big name players once we start winning again which should begin with this current team.

 

[BigNastyJon]

People will probably hate me for asking: if he was in the US, where do we think he’d be ranked/how many stars?

 

[SUFan44]

So winning 20 games last year (hasn’t been done in a decade) with a group of misfits wasn’t good enough for you for a year 1 head coach ? Now there’s no excuses for year 2? Man, what an opinion

We beat nobody, really. UNC, fine. Yes I forgot about that one. But we didn't make the tournament - didn't get close, really. First-year head coach with a mid roster, sure -- it was fine. I don't consider it successful though.

Tournament is the only way to measure a successful season. At Syracuse, if you do not make the tournament, it is not successful. So if he makes the tournament this year, it will be a success. If he doesn't, it won't be.

That's my measure -- and I know I'm not alone in that.

 

[zilo]

All of this is great, but need the winning to come this year. No excuses.

Signing all these recruits is setting the conditions to win in the immediate future...which is great. But, we need to actually go out on the court and do it. Considering Red squeezed 20 wins out of the rag tag misfits we had last year tells me a lot. I believe he will get the job done on the court as well as his recruiting off the court. I believe we are trending in the right direction..

 

[cusefan88]

So winning 20 games last year (hasn’t been done in a decade) with a group of misfits wasn’t good enough for you for a year 1 head coach ? Now there’s no excuses for year 2? Man, what an opinion

End of career Boeheim broke people sadly.

 

[SUFan44]

People will probably hate me for asking: if he was in the US, where do we think he’d be ranked/how many stars?

It is a great and valid question. My guess is Top 50-75.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

People will probably hate me for asking: if he was in the US, where do we think he’d be ranked/how many stars?

I think it's a good question.

The NBA prep teams are pretty legit though.

 

[skeeter223]

Reminiscent of Billy Edelin. Plays under control, always has his head up looking for the next opportunity, can get to his spot seemingly at will.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Reminiscent of Billy Edelin. Plays under control, always has his head up looking for the next opportunity, can get to his spot seemingly at will.

Except the whole outside shot thing.

 

[cayugacuse]

I was worried that an internal hire wouldn't bring a new set of eyes and ideas to the program.

But from my distant viewpoint it seems like we are witnessing some changes to the program to get caught back up to where we should be or used to be, new recruiting territories, international recruiting, use of analytics, outside hires not having to be former players etc.

Agree with your take here. Recruiting had gotten stale. Red inherited Boeheim's team. I was frustrated at times with the selfish play with last year's team but most of those perpetrators are gone. Adding to your recruiting thought, recruit kids with good character.

 

[Orangezoo]

It is a great and valid question. My guess is Top 50-75.

I’d say he’s as good as any PG in this class. So top 50/top 75 whatever you want to say- his experience and fundamentals put him in a great spot to have a big impact year 1

 

[baggerbob]

Except the whole outside shot thing.

Billy could get in the lane and score against anyone. Hak said his floater was impossible to block, because he never could.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Billy could get in the lane and score against anyone. Hak said his floater was impossible to block, because he never could.

Right. That is why I said "(e)xcept the whole outside shooting thing". Words matter.

 

[Melancer46]

This dude looks like basically all of my Australian wife's male cousins. I love Australia lol they give zero effs.

Luke, if you're reading this, Hungry Jack's is called Burger King here and KFC is significantly worse here!

 

[baggerbob]

Right. That is why I said "(e)xcept the whole outside shooting thing". Words matter.

I agree with you.
Billy's game against Oklahoma St saved the season, and against Texas he punished their point guard. Regular season against Thomas of Notre Dame he was amazing. And when he was eligible Gerry benefited by playing off the ball.

 

[two3zone]

I really like what I see, hot take incoming, looks like he could be our best guard in years.

 

[GHLF]

So winning 20 games last year (hasn’t been done in a decade) with a group of misfits wasn’t good enough for you for a year 1 head coach ? Now there’s no excuses for year 2? Man, what an opinion

What I think is really great about Red is he knew he must adapt and most importantly be himself. So, this is our 2025 point guard correct?, I certainly want Kiyan, hopefully this will help? So this essentially means with all due respect Jackson was not a fit correct? I believe Red 's building a program, and it does not seem to be one that caters to individual players exclusively. Team first. I truly believe we can compete in this age, if players are interested in winning, player development with NBA potential and lastly middle of the range NIL. Go Red!!!! and crew

 

[tee1222]

I have been singing "Watch me wallaby down, sport - watch me wallaby down".
All. Freaking. Day.

Because of it, my dog is less than thrilled about this recruitment.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

What I think is really great about Red is he knew he must adapt and most importantly be himself. So, this is our 2025 point guard correct?, I certainly want Kiyan, hopefully this will help? So this essentially means with all due respect Jackson was not a fit correct? I believe Red 's building a program, and it does not seem to be one that caters to individual players exclusively. Team first. I truly believe we can compete in this age, if players are interested in winning, player development with NBA potential and lastly middle of the range NIL. Go Red!!!! and crew

Wouldn't surprise me if we look for an experienced portal point, but yeah, this is our guy looks like, and this is a really nice recruiting win.