Tyler Ennis, a top point guard in the class of 2013, committed to Syracuse Thursday night, announcing his decision in a video released on the website of his AAU team, CIA Bounce.

Ennis said the ability to play immediately as a freshman made SU his top choice. The Orange will likely have an opening in the backcourt next season due to the graduation of Brandon Triche.

“A lot of playing time is up for grabs,” Ennis said in the video, “so hopefully I’ll be able to come in and play a lot more than I would at another school.”

“But also, the talent that they have right now is going to help me look better and help me get to where I want to be and that’s the pro level.”

Ennis is the Orange’s first commitment for the class of 2013.

Ennis, a senior at St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J), is rated a five-star recruit by Rivals and Scout.com, which ranks him as the No. 4 point guard in his class. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard was honored as the Gatorade Player of the Year in New Jersey as a junior, helping his team to a school-record 33 wins while averaging 15.7 points and 6.5 assists in its first 35 games.

Ennis received 22 Division-I offers and considered Illinois, Louisville, Memphis and UCLA in addition to Syracuse.

Ennis played for Canada’s junior national team, which earned the bronze medal in the FIBA Americas U18 Championships in Brazil in June. The Brampton, Ontario native also competed against elite competition in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League during the summer for CIA Bounce.

Now, he has a year to prepare for the transition from high school to major college basketball.

“I’m focusing on getting a lot stronger for the college level, playing against people that are sometimes four years older than I am,” Ennis said. “So being more aggressive and being a lot stronger than I am now for next year.”

Published on August 16, 2012 at 7:28 pm

Contact Ryne: rjgery@syr.edu