Longtime Lean DaJuan Coleman Picks Syracuse

Jamesville-Dewitt (NY) high school star center DaJuan Coleman attends his school less than five miles from the campus at Syracuse. The 280 pound center has been long thought to be a lean to play for the Orange in college, as they have dutifully recruited him since he became a varsity star as a high school freshman. That long recruitment, and the proximity to Coleman’s home may have turned the tide, as Coleman announced at a press conference today that he will play college hoops at Syracuse.

Syracuse fans that have followed the program for a while will immediately call up memories of another “DC”, Derrick Coleman. While DaJuan and Derrick aren’t related, DaJuan is a blue chip prospect that has a chance to start as a freshman, barring the rapid improvement of the current power forward and center options at Syracuse, sophomores Fab Melo and Baye Moussa Keita, and freshman Rakeem Christmas.

The beefy big man averaged 24 points, and pulled down 14 rebounds as a junior last year at Jamesville-Dewitt. He’ll be seeking his fourth state championship this year, teamed with Wake Forest commit Tyler Cavanaugh and others.

While Coleman was said to be selecting from Syracuse, Kentucky and Ohio State, and actually ending Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness, there never seemed to be much of a doubt that he would be staying near home for college. He seems ideally suited for Big East play, at least as it is currently configured, and only needs better physical conditioning to be an impact player for the Orange.

Coleman will reunite with former high school teammate Brandon Triche at Syracuse. He’s joined by DeMatha Catholic (MD) forward Jerami Grant in Syracuse’s recruiting class, thus far. Coleman is a huge recruit for Syracuse, as they have defended their territory and fended off a strong push by Kentucky. He’s a solid Top 15 prospect in the nation, and already a physical presence.