Syracuse, N.Y. -- Even before Nate Roberts announced that he would attend the University of Washington, the Syracuse coaches had been quietly increasing their pursuit of another big man prospect.

While Roberts, a 6-foot-11 forward from Brewster Academy, did wind up picking Washington over Syracuse and Nebraska, the Orange coaches are interested in an intriguing recruit from Sudan by way of New Jersey.

Majur Majak, a 7-foot-1 senior center, has become the subject of Syracuse's recruiting efforts, according to sources familiar with his recruitment. Majak spent last year at Roselle (N.J.) Catholic High School and now attends The Patrick School in Hillside, N.J.

Chris Chevannes, the head coach at The Patrick School, said Majak has shown significant improvement since the beginning of the summer.

"A lot of young players, especially big kids, make hurdles at some point, but you don't know when,'' Chevannes said. "He's come a long way. We've got a really strong team this year. When I first saw him, I wasn't sure where he'd be able to help. He's gone from me wondering how much he would play to being a starter.''

Majak is a product of the Basketball Without Borders program. He also attended the Dankind Academy, which is a humanitarian project in East Africa that identifies, educates and teaches the game of basketball to kids who show an affinity for the sport in the hopes of getting them a college education.

Majak has already received scholarship offers from Connecticut, Seton Hall, Washington and San Diego State. Syracuse could offer a scholarship soon.

"I know they're interested,'' Chevannes said.

He described Majak's game as developing, but Majak is already a presence on the defensive end of the court.

"He blocks everything,'' Chevannes said. "He eats up the paint and gives people fits.''