Celebrated Syracuse football signee Calvin Russell III to hoop, too

One of the most celebrated recruits in Syracuse football history may actually make an impact first for the Orange men's basketball team.

The university on Sunday announced that five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell III, who enrolled early for the spring semester, has joined the hoops squad as well.

A two-sport star at Miami's Northwestern High School, Russell was rated the No. 2 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 23 overall player by 247Sports in the Class of 2026.

Russell signed his letter of intent to play football with Syracuse on Dec. 5, two days after the opening of the early signing period. He had been committed to the Orange since July.

The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Russell averaged 15.2 points and 8.0 rebounds last season at wing and comes from a basketball background. His mother, Chanivia Broussard, played for the Miami Hurricanes for four years and was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.

Russell's signing gave Syracuse its highest-rated recruiting class in the modern era of rankings at No. 31. He was also the highest-ranked player to sign with the Orange in 25 years, according to 247Sports.

The Orange basketball team, coached by former player Adrian Autry, is currently 11-5 and 2-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Orange are No. 67 in the NET rankings with a home game against Florida State (7-9, 0-3) up next on Tuesday.