Jerami Grant Commits to Syracuse: A Great Start, but Orange Want More

Jim Boeheim's future looks brighter after getting a verbal commitment from Jerami Grant, a 6'7" senior at DeMatha Catholic and the top-ranked player in Maryland in the class of 2012.

Grant informed Boeheim Friday of his decision to attend Syracuse next fall. He's still a year removed from his arrival, but his choice means much more for the Orange than getting another athletic forward.

For starters, it gives increased balance and depth in their lineup for years to come.

In 2012, the Orange will be well-stocked at each position. In the backcourt, they will have veterans Brandon Triche and Dion Waiters, along with Michael-Carter Williams and Trevor Cooney. In the post will be Rakeem Christmas and Fab Melo. Grant will lead the forwards along with C.J. Fair and James Southerland.

Grant's father Harvey played in the NBA, and his brother Jerian will play for Notre Dame this season. Jerami is an explosive finisher with great length, and can play the 3 or 4 spot.

Grant's commitment is good news, but Boeheim has his sights set on an even bigger prize. DaJuan Coleman, a 6'10" homegrown pivot from Jamesville-DeWitt High School just outside Syracuse, is ranked No. 14 in the country on ESPNU's top 100 and is the top player in the state of New York.

The undecided center is high-priority for Boeheim's staff. With the addition of Grant and a lineup poised to make several deep tournament runs, the Orange can now make a pitch to Coleman to try and keep him from being lured away by John Calipari's near-vacuum tendency to snap up all the premier talent in the nation.

Coleman and Christmas could be twin towers that dominate the paint; they would be a better combination than the Arinze Onuaku/ Rick Jackson duo of 2009-10. The team would have star power at every position, and would match up favorably with almost any team in the country. Syracuse would have the pieces in place to compete with an elite Connecticut squad and the always-tough Pittsburgh Panthers.

Keep in mind this is all a work in progress. But Grant's decision is a great start, and could be the beginning of more positive things for Boeheim. At the very least, it's the addition of a superb forward who will fit very well into Syracuse's system.