Countdown to Craziness visitors update post for members on the Blue Devil Nation message board. Join during our October Special where we double any new membership.
Category Archives: Duke Basketball Recruiting News
Duke Offers Isaiah Stewart
Duke has offered Isaiah Stewart, a 6-8 PF from Rochester, New York who played for City Rocks on the Nike EYBL circuit. Stewart is the eighth player in the 2019 class to pick up an offer.
The Blue Devils have been steadily building a relationship with Stewart through assistant coach Jon Scheyer who recently went to visit the prospect.
Stewart most recently transferred to La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), which is a high school power. Powerfully built, Stewart worked on his game and physique after an injury setback during his sophomore season.
Stewart averaged 11.5 points per contest and 9.2 rebounds while shooting close to 64 percent from the field during this past seasons Nike EYBL Peach Jam Finals.
Duke has been coming on fast and hard for the paint eating young big man. Look for the prospect to keep Duke in mind as he close in on a decision and expect a visit to Cameron in the near future.
R.J. Barrett Sets Decision Date
The nation's top rated prospect in the Class of 2018, R.J. Barrett, has announced his decision date. Barrett will choose his collegiate destination on November the 10th of this year,
Much like current Duke player, Marvin Bagley, Barrett reclassified from his original 2019 class and still remained the top rated player. Barrett led his Canadian National team to a Gold Medal over Team USA this summer and is a can't miss prospect.
His decision is slated to happen in his home country of Canada with friends and family. Barrett will be able to sign a letter of intent for his decision date falls within the November national signing period which goes from the 8th until the 15th.
Barrett can score in multiple ways on the court and is a versatile athlete. He is a game changer for whichever team lands his services.
Duke most recently had an in home official visit with Barrett. Most consider the Blue Devils a favorite to land the outstanding talent with Kentucky just behind. Oregon is also recruiting the 6-7 Barrett.
Barrett visited Duke for his official visit last month and reports say that visit went well. There is always a possibility he could move the date of his decision but it will likely come on a signing day show if it remains as is.
If the Blue Devils were to gain his services, he would join point guard Tre Jones and WF Cameron Reddish to make up a dynamic trio in Durham.
Duke is also considering other top rated players in the class and will entertain a bevy of prospect for the upcoming Countdown to Craziness.
Mike Krzyzewski and his staff have been getting their share of top rated stars by getting them to the NBA in short order. Duke had three first round draft picks a season ago and will have more this season where mass defections are expected.
For more on Barrett, check out Blue Devil Nation Premium where we discuss recruiting in more detail.
Duke Offers 5 Star SF Joey Baker
Duke has a visit from 5-Star shooting guard Joey Baker this weekend and he left campus with an offer. The 2019 rising star plays high school hoops for Trinity Christian Academy in Fayetteville, N.C.
Baker is already a productive player at his age, meaning he will only get better as he matures. At 6-7 he can shoot over smaller defenders via the pull up jumper or he can launch the three point shot with the best of them.
He understands spacing at an early age and how to maintain good motion on the offensive end. He is considered the best player in the state of North Carolina in his class and is a consensus 5 star rated player in national rankings.
Blessed to have received an offer from Duke #thebrotherhood 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/pk0V9g1kNJ
— Joey Baker (@Joey_bvker) September 30, 2017
Duke Goes In Home With Darius Garland
The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball staff will make the journey to neighboring state Tennessee this evening. The reason for that will be an in home visit with one of the nations best guard prospects, Darius Garland.
A sleek competitor on the court, Garland, has long been a target for Mike Krzyzewski. That interest has been returned as that Duke is clearly on the big time prospects final list of schools.
Duke will be the second in home visit for Team Garland in that his family most recently entertained Indiana. Garland is also being hotly pursued by his hometown team in Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
Darius Garland is currently slated to take his official visit to Duke on October 27th. He will have already made upcoming official visits to Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Indiana before said journey.
Duke will be taking on Northwest Missouri State the Friday of Garland's visit in their first exhibition game of the season. He will see a team that is earning plenty of hype due to their stellar recruiting class.
Garland plays for Brentwood Academy in Tennessee. He also played for the Bradley Beal AAU team on the Nike EYBL circuit. Like many Duke recruits, Garland has been a mainstay on the USA Basketball circuit as well.
When watching Garland you will notice he is a left point guard who has a good understanding of the game. He is quick off ball and has few weak points to what most consider a complete game. Garland sees the floor well and has a solid offensive game. The best thing about Garland and what he is known for is his versatility.
Jones and Reddish in For Official Visits
Duke is fortunate to have Cameron Reddish and Tre Jones already committed to play for the Blue Devils. While each has made their collegiate decision known already, neither has made their official visit.
The two future teammates are already friends and they will get to come in and play with this years team while checking out campus life this weekend. This will also be a great time for them to talk with the Duke staff before their high school season begins while gaining knowledge on how to improve their game.
Both Reddish and Jones are the top rated prospects at their positions per ESPN. Duke also hosted R.J. Barrett this weekend and are fully immersed in having him become part of what would be a dynamic trio.
Duke will need to sign several players in this class in that they expect to lose a bevy of talent to the NBA and graduation. The Blue Devils are still recruiting several prospects and the staff is currently on the road checking them out as I type. Duke is checking out Bryan Antoine and Scottie Lewis, two big time prospects today.
Duke fans will see Reddish and Jones during the season as well. The 2017-18 Duke team will likely bee the favorite in the ACC and possibly the nation going into the season.
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