Gerry McNamara has landed his first five-star recruit as Syracuse’s head coach.
Moussa Kamissoko, a 6-foot-7 forward ranked among the nation’s top prospects in the 2027 class, committed to Syracuse on Friday after choosing the Orange over Florida State, Illinois, Virginia and Oklahoma State.
The commitment gives McNamara one of the most highly regarded recruits to join the Syracuse program in recent years. Kamissoko is the first five-star prospect to commit to the Orange since Donnie Freeman in 2024 and only the second since Chris McCullough in 2014.
Kamissoko visited Syracuse earlier this month, where the program’s facilities, McNamara’s coaching approach and the atmosphere inside the JMA Wireless Dome helped strengthen his decision. The New York native attends Spire Academy in Ohio and also plays for the PSA Cardinals on the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League circuit.
He is ranked No. 15 overall in the SC Next 100 and No. 2 among power forwards in his class. Kamissoko averaged 16.3 points and 7.2 rebounds across 18 Nike Elite Youth Basketball League games this spring and summer while shooting better than 35 percent from three-point range. At Nike Peach Jam, he increased his production to 16.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
Kamissoko’s 6-foot-11 wingspan and athleticism make him a versatile forward who can score near the basket, rebound, run the floor and defend multiple positions. He shot 56.3 percent on two-point attempts during Nike Elite Youth Basketball League play, while his perimeter shooting remains an area of development.
McNamara was hired in March after two seasons at Siena. Before becoming a head coach, he spent 15 seasons on the Syracuse coaching staff and was a key player on the Orange’s 2003 national championship team.
Kamissoko joins three-star forward Jack Donohue as Syracuse’s second commitment in the 2027 class.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.