Five-star forward Moussa Kamissoko commits to Syracuse - ESPN

Five-star forward Moussa Kamissoko has committed to Syracuse, he told ESPN on Friday, becoming the first five-star recruit of Gerry McNamara's head coaching career and only the second five-star Orange commit in the past decade.

Kamissoko chose Syracuse over a list of suitors that included Florida State, Illinois, Virginia and Oklahoma State.

«Growing up, I remember watching Syracuse, and from the moment they started recruiting me, it felt like home,» Kamissoko told ESPN. «The relationship with the coaching staff, especially Coach G-Mac. That's my guy!»

Kamissoko took a visit to Syracuse earlier this month and was attracted to McNamara's coaching style and the Orange's facilities.

«Coach was a great player at Cuse and went through the whole recruiting process the way that I did,» Kamissoko said. «He's a players' coach, and that is what I was looking for. You can tell the guys like playing for him. The practice was detailed, with great vibes. Coach has a great development plan for me, and they showed that Cuse has been good when they have wings like me.

»The Dome is what impressed me the most. Having the opportunity to play in that atmosphere when it's packed is something I imagined while there on my visit. Can't wait to play in front of the Cuse fans."

Syracuse hired McNamara in March following two seasons at Siena. He previously spent 15 seasons as an assistant coach on the Syracuse staff under Jim Boeheim and Adrian Autry and was one of the greatest players in Orange history, helping lead the program to a national championship in 2003 and having his No. 3 jersey retired in 2023.

Kamissoko is McNamara's first statement recruit since returning to Syracuse. He becomes the first five-star prospect to pick the Orange since