By SAM LANCE
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — Five-star Sadiq White Jr. is doing his part to add to Syracuse’s 2025 class. Specifically, the 6-foot-8, 200-pound power forward from Myers Park (NC) and the Team United Nike EYBL AAU program mentioned three prospects he’s actively recruiting to the Orange.
“I’m trying to get Acaden [Lewis], bring Kiyan [Anthony] home, bring Hype [Tyler Jackson] home,” White said. “We’re trying to make it big man.”
Jackson previously said he wanted to bring a national championship to Syracuse if he and Anthony chose the Orange together. White reflected that sentiment.
“Yes sir, 100%,” White said of Jackson’s quote. “That’s the main goal man. Put the ‘Cuse back on top. Bring them back to No. 1.”
White is one of two five-star 2025 prospects to commit to a school and one of nine players in 247Sports’ top-50 to settle on a program. The Orange’s recruiting class currently ranks No. 10 in the country. Adding Jackson and Anthony would surely make it top-five. And adding Lewis to the mix could put it among the best in the country, if not No. 1 overall.
One of the biggest reasons why White chose the Orange is the family feel head coach Adrian Autry has established. Of course, Kiyan Anthony’s father is Carmelo Anthony, who brought a national title to the Orange in 2003. White could possibly have a chance to further build the legacy of Syracuse with Kiyan.
White’s last visit to campus was back in late February when Syracuse played Notre Dame at home. The Orange squeaked by with an 88-85 win. White said he thoroughly enjoyed the visit and how welcoming the fans were.
“Just everyone knowing my name before I was even committed to there,” White said. “Just a priority recruit. The University, the city, the people, they embraced me real well. I can’t wait to get up there and take my talents to them and excel.
“It’s wonderful people man,” White added. “You know them wanting me as a kid first before my game — getting a chance to understand how I grew up, my lifestyle at home, how I conduct myself. I just feel like I fit very very well up there with the Orange.”
At Peach Jam, White averaged 17.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting 58.1% from the field. He was also a pest defensively grabbing 12 steals in five games. His squad, Team United, went 1-4 in pool play and didn’t make the final Peach Jam bracket.
White described himself as relentless on the court.
“I’m going to get to my spots no matter what,” White said. “I’m going to get downhill, live at the free throw line, put pressure on the ref to call fouls for me. If not, we’re going to play through them and be as dominant as we can. Also just being able to guard any position one-through-five right now. Hopefully at the collegiate level still being able to guard one-through-four. And again just being relentless man. My motor. I hate losing.”
Off the court White is cool, calm and collected. He might even make you laugh.
“I like to have fun,” White said. “I like to see my guys smile. See my friends and family smile. Whatever to put a smile on their face man, that’s it.”
As for White’s family, his parents didn’t play any sports at the collegiate level. However, they blessed him with size. White’s mother is 6-foot and his father is around 6-foot-6, 6-foot-7. White also has four little sisters and two younger brothers. He is the oldest child.
“I got baby bro coming up, Nasir,” White said. “Hopefully I can get him to around my level. You know, get the Orange to start recruiting him a little bit as he gets older. I got a little one coming up for sure.”
White’s favorite NBA players are Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Oddly enough, White said his nickname is “Sadiq the Freak.” Something you may not know about White is he likes to sit in silence.
“I know it’s kind of weird, but I enjoy just being alone sometimes man,” White said. “I like being able to regroup my thoughts and get a chance to learn myself better.”
White answered some other questions on Syracuse below:
What is Syracuse getting from Sadiq White?: “A winner man. I’m going to win. I’m going to win my battle. I’m going to win my 1-on-1. Do anything for the team to win. If I don’t play I don’t play. If I go out there as a freshman and get a chance to go out there and compete, I’m going to compete at the highest level possible.”
What does his role project to be?: “As of right now, just coming in and being a defender man. A high level defender, guarding one-through-four. Being a pest on the defensive end. And on the offensive end running and transition, doing the easy things. Let my game excel, working on the one-two pull-up. Knocking down the open three. As of right now just coming in and being a defensive pest. Being an animal.”
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