Hoophall Classic 2014: Kaleb Joseph looking forward to learning from Tyler Ennis at Syracuse

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Kaleb Joseph of Cushing Academy passes the ball during the Spalding Hoophall Classic at Springfield College on Sunday. Joseph will play at Syracuse next year.

(Jim Pignatiello, MassLive)

SYRACUSE – Last season Tyler Ennis and St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.) topped Montrose Christian (Md.) in the 2013 Hoophall Classic. On Sunday, Syracuse commit Kaleb Joseph led Cushing Academy (Mass.) to a 93-83 win over Worcester Academy (Mass.).

One-half of the Orange’s incoming freshman class is looking forward to potentially play with Ennis, who’s played as well as any freshmen in the country.

“He’s got a chance to go pro right now, if he continues to play the way he is or he can stay an extra year and learn from him,” Joseph said. “We can play with each other in the backcourt. I think that’d be a real good fit.”

Ennis is currently ranked as the No. 20 overall pick in DraftExpress.com’s latest mock draft. The freshman floor general is averaging 11.9 points and 5.5 assists per game for No. 2 Sryacuse. He’s also racking up the minutes, seeing action in almost 34 minutes a night.

Regardless of Jim Boeheim’s tight rotation, Joseph thinks he’ll see minutes next year even if Ennis returns for his sophomore season.

“I’m not worried about it at all,” Joseph said. “I’ve talked to the coaches [Boeheim and Mike Hopkins]. “We play long seasons, we’d split time and play both of us in the backcourt.”

The 6-foot-3 Joseph is also looking forward to working with assistant coach Gerry McNamara, the former Syracuse star he grew up watching.

“I loved McNamara. That game against UConn is one of my favorite,” Joseph said about McNamara’s performance in the 2006 Big East Tournament.

While Joseph will add depth to the top of the 2-3 zone, incoming freshman Chris McCullough will provide more length as the Orange need to account the graduation of C.J. Fair and Baye-Moussa Keita, as well as the potential departure of Jerami Grant.

“Me and him are real close,” Joseph added. “We talk every now and then. We talk about the games and try and keep up with each other as much as possible.”

Joseph ended with 17 points on Sunday afternoon with game MVP honors going to backcourt mate Jalen Adams, a junior recruit who scored a game-high 32 points.

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