Cardozo’s Southerland picks Syracuse

Last summer, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim and his assistant Mike Hopkins called Ron Naclerio just to make sure they were not missing any local city prospects. The Cardozo basketball coach, who also serves as the New York City editor for the internet recruiting service, The Hoops Scoop Online, pointed out one of his own players, James Southerland. Hopkins called around, and received glowing reviews regarding the athletically gifted 6-foot-7 Floral Park swingman.
Last week, after a year of recruiting Southerland, the Big East school offered him a scholarship to which he responded by giving a verbal agreement almost immediately. “He seemed relieved,” Naclerio said. “I explained to him you’re on the train to where you want to go.”
Virginia Tech, Florida State, Seton Hall, Rutgers, St. John’s, Florida and Louisville had also expressed interest in Southerland.
Last July, Southerland, 16, took part in Syracuse’s Elite Camp with several of the state’s top prospects, and duly impressed the Orange coaching staff with his limitless range and pogo stick-like leaping ability. “They saw what I saw and they came by as many times during the year as they could,” Naclerio said.
It did not hurt that Mr. New York State Basketball, Niagara Falls’ Johnny Flynn, another Syracuse recruit who faced Southerland and the Judges in a non-league tournament, endorsed him as well.
“He has that skill they all really like - he can [shoot],” Naclerio said. “He can fire it from 20 [feet].”
When the longtime coach first informed him of the offer, Southerland was speechless. All along, Syracuse had been his dream school. Now that dream has come true.