By JACOB POLACHECK
Brendan Paul, the 6-foot-2 point guard from Brewster (NH) Academy, committed to Jim Boeheim and the Syracuse Orange on Tuesday via Twitter, as a preferred walk-on. He spoke with ZAGSBLOG on Tuesday about his decision to commit to Syracuse.
“My decision came down to the fans, the environment at Syracuse, and the Boeheim family,” said Paul. “Family played a huge role in my decision as well.”
At Brewster Academy, Paul is close friends with Syracuse commit and son of Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, Buddy Boeheim. Paul and Boeheim join Jalen Carey and Darius Bazley to form the current four-man class in place for the Orange.
“The way we play defense in the zone and the way we shoot threes should definitely be a great way to compliment my game,” said Paul. “I’m definitely most excited to play in the dome and be around the best coach of all time in the NCAA.”
Landing Paul should soften the blow of missing out on 2018 forward Nate Roberts, who chose Washington over Syracuse on Tuesday. With Syracuse already handing out all the scholarships set aside for guards, Paul was offered a preferred walk-on spot.
“BP is a high-level shooter, gym rat, and great teammate,” Brewster head coach Jason Smith told ZAGSBLOG on Tuesday. “He earned D2 offers and was courted by academic powers at D3 level, but elected to pursue a walk-on opportunity at Syracuse to be a part of an elite program directed by a legendary coach.”