Former UK target Frank Anselem commits to Syracuse

Photo via Tipton Edits

Four-star center Frank Anselem has officially chosen his new home, and it won’t be in the state of Kentucky. The big man is taking his talents to Syracuse University to play for the Orange and head coach Jim Boeheim.

The 6-foot-10, 220 pound center is currently listed as the No. 142 player in the nation, the No. 23 center and the No. 16 player in Georgia, according to 247Sports. Anselem is tabbed as a four-star recruit.

It’s been a wild recruitment for Anselem, who moved to the United States from Nigeria in 2016 and has only played basketball for five years. He was originally a member of the 2021 class, but he officially announced his decision to reclassify into the 2020 class on April 14. Following his reclassification, Anselem cut his list to three – Alabama, Georgia and LSU. Just four days later, 7-foot center Josh Gray committed to LSU, and Anselem announced his recruitment was once again “wide open.”

“In light of recent developments, my recruitment is now wide open as I take the time to evaluate the best fit for me both on the court and academically next season,” Anselem said via Twitter. “Thank you to everyone for your interest. Please stay safe and always keep the family close.”

Anselem narrowed his list of colleges down to six on May 1. At the time, Anselem said he was considering Kentucky, Syracuse, Arkansas, San Diego State, Seton Hall and Western Kentucky. On June 1, he announced a different top four on Twitter – Syracuse, San Diego state, Georgia and New Mexico.

Now, the big man has settled on Syracuse.

It’s been an incredibly long journey but at this point, I choose to further my education as well as basketball career at SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY. Thanks to everyone who has been a part of my life and supported me thus far. Looking forward to what the future holds.?? #goorange ???

— Frank (@the2kfranky) June 3, 2020

KSR’s recruiting expert Jack Pilgrim wrote about Anselem in his Insider Notes in late April, calling Anselem a “major project” with “elite potential.”

After speaking with individuals close to the Prolific Prep program, along with numerous other s in high school and AAU recruiting circles, it’s clear that the Suwanee, GA native is a major project and will likely need anywhere from two to four years at Kentucky before becoming a serious threat on the floor in Lexington. It’s a general consensus at this point. While he has physical tools – great frame, phenomenal wingspan, and solid athleticism – he is extremely raw offensively and needs elite coaching to refine his footwork and post moves. Above all else, Anselem struggles with his hands, fumbling the ball with crisp passes down low and in transition. While he thrives catching the ball off the rim for putbacks and offensive rebounds, he simply isn’t there to be a difference-maker on the floor, at least initially.

As a freshman, Anselem would likely see minimal playing time, serving primarily as a clean-up specialist on offense and shot-blocker on defense, similar to what we saw from Nick Richards in his first years in Lexington. The staff, however, sees elite potential out of the 6-foot-10 center, believing they could mold him into a player like Richards down the road. If he gets on campus and grasps the system early, they obviously won’t hold him back, but the expectation is that a long-term plan would be in place.

If the Wildcats want to add another big man to their roster for the 2020-21 season (even if its just a contingency plan to have in place if Olivier Sarr does not gain immediate eligibility from the NCAA), they’ll have to look elsewhere.