Syracuse basketball hosted many talented prospects in the 2023, 2024 and 2025 recruiting cycles during the team’s annual elite camp, which took place in late August.
One of these participants is a potential high school student who intrigues me a lot, and he is 2025 power forward/center Ben Winker of Saint Louis.
To date I don’t believe the coaching staff at Orange have offered the 6ft 10in centre-forward / centre-forward a scholarship but I have a feeling the ‘Cuse are showing good interest for winker.
He is entering his sophomore season at Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis, and on the AAU circuit, Winker dresses for the Gateway Basketball Club of St. Louis in the Under Armor Association league.
It looks like Syracuse basketball is taking a close look at the big man of 2025, Ben Winker.
Besides attending the recent ‘Cuse Elite Camp, Winker recently toured the Orange campus on an unofficial visit. According to his Twitter page, Winker got a tour of the Melo Center from Syracuse basketball associate head coach Adrian Autry’s team.
According to his Twitter account, Winker in August also made trips to schools including NC State, North Carolina, Duke and Wake Forest.
His recruiting process is just beginning, but as he continues to shine in the AAU ballroom and for his prep team, I’m sure Winker will make it to the 2025 National Rankings and see his offer sheet take momentum, especially once the contact period for this cycle opens in mid-June next year.
Over the past few months, I’ve come across a slew of encouraging comments from national analysts and scouts on social media regarding Winker’s skills.
Experts say he has a soft feel around the rim with both hands, his jumping continues to improve in the midrange area, he runs the ground well for a player his size and he’s competent at protect the rim in defense.
This quote on Twitter from Elite Amateur Sports April scouting analyst Tyler Coleman touched my heart. “The one thing people will quickly realize is that Ben Winker is tough with bad guys in him.”
To date, Syracuse basketball has offered several prospects in the Class of 2025. They include four-star guard Jerry Easter II of Emmanuel Christian School in Toledo, Ohio, four-star guard/wing Efeosa Oliogu of the United Scholastic Academy of Toronto and four-star combo guard Darius Adams, who attends Manasquan High School in Manasquan, New Jersey