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NCAA Basketball: Big East headline 2022 4-star G Roddy Gayle’s top 6

By Ian Mumm

COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: D.J. Carton #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes on the court in the game against the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons at Value City Arena on November 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: D.J. Carton #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes on the court in the game against the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons at Value City Arena on November 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Roddy Gayle NCAA Basketball Elijah Hughes Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Roddy Gayle NCAA Basketball Elijah Hughes Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Syracuse Orange

After receiving news that the #3 overall recruit in the 2022 class and recent Syracuse commit Dior Johnson has backed off of his pledge, the need to secure top talent in the class has become much more evident.

Head coach Jim Boeheim is certainly looking forward to what could be a very successful season for the Orange, but the latest news has to only heighten his desire to convince Gayle Syracuse is his best option. Growing up focusing on the Cuse program, Boeheim has a legitimate shot to reel him in.

A lot of the allure for picking the Orange is the program’s level of success, as well as the talent level of his potential teammates in the 2022 season. Sophomore point guard Joe Girard and wings Kadary Richmond and Quincy Guerrier could still be on the team, depending on their production over the next pair of seasons, and would give Gayle a lot of positional flexibility to play anywhere on the floor.

Being comfortable in both on-ball and off-ball scenarios, Gayle would have plenty of opportunities to exploit defensive mismatches and quickly produce on the floor for one of the most storied programs in college basketball.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes were one of the most productive teams last season with the combined play of freshman DJ Carton and veterans Duane Washington Jr and CJ Walker. Chris Holtmann’s squad gained the reinforcements of Justice Sueing (California), after losing Carton to transfer as well. However, the only guard expected to be left on the roster in 2022 is current commits Malaki Branham (2021) and Bowen Hardman (2022).

Without a ton of experience, the opportunity for Gayle to immediately don the Buckeyes uniform and make a name for himself is pretty high. Despite the production and reliance on Kaleb Wesson over the last several seasons, Ohio State has heavily involved their guards in their attack.

Next. Favorites from each conference for 2020-21 season. dark

Coach Holtmann has a leg up on the other teams on Gayle’s list because the 4-star recruit has admired the university’s gameday atmosphere since visiting during a game against rival Michigan. The freedom to develop his skillset and play for a top program nationally is looking like the ideal option for the talented guard.

Prediction: Ohio State gets Gayle’s pledge

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