Tag Archives: Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Dereck Lively II has Duke In-Home visit tomorrow

Dereck Lively II (Westown HS, PA) has been on the Duke radar since before people knew Jon Scheyer would take over the program and Mike Krzyzewski would retire. Standing in at a long 7-1, Lively soared up the rankings this past season and some feel is the best prospect in the nation.

Duke has plenty of competition with North Carolina, Kentucky and Michigan involved, but it is thought that Lively thinks a lot of the Blue Devils and what they have to offer.

The Blue Devils will be fresh off a visit with combo guard JJ Starling who balls for Albany City Rocks on the EYBL circuit. In fact, this staff is very busy with not only next year's class but the one beyond where they intend to prove Duke Basketball Never Stops regardless of who is in charge.

Lively has long been at the top of the Blue Devils wish list where Duke hopes he will join Kyle Filipowski, Jaden Schutt, and the first prospect to verbally commit in Dariq Whitehead.

Duke will be showing off their presentation with Jon Scheyer, flanked by assistants Chris Carrawell, Nolan Smith, and possibly Amile Jefferson who is on staff and expected to be promoted in the off-season.

The reason for the staff's excitement with Lively is that he is talented now but has tremendous upside as a player. The Belfonte, Pennsylvania native loves playing in the post where he flourishes but he is expanding his game daily with added perimeter skills.

Many feel as I do that this could be another Duke-Kentucky battle. Oh to be a fly on the wall as Calipari will pitch Scheyer has not proven himself on the court yet. On the other side, the ever-confident Scheyer will be putting those worries to rest with a focused vision where he seems more than ready and young enough to master the new NIL situation. Just today, Paolo Banchero inked a lucrative deal and a prospect like Lively will be set up to follow in his footsteps.

The Blue Devils have other visits set which we discuss in the member's forum, but this one is important and will be in the limelight for a bit. I will tell you Mark Mitchell will also receive attention.

As for when we can expect Lively to make a decision those in the know claim the Fall is likely but in recruiting anything can change, so keep that in mind.

If you are looking for a prediction, I will say Duke is in this one but it may take a little time to close the deal. And I feel Kentucky is the chief competition but if his decision is delayed more teams could enter the situation especially post visits that he has lined up.

Honestly, the landscape can change a lot after visits but I expect Duke to still be on the shortlist once they're finished.

Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Mark Williams Has Duke in Final 3

One of the nation's top center prospects has narrowed his list to three schools and Duke is one of them.  The Blue Devils join Michigan and UCLA as his finalists.

Williams, the brother of former Duke women's standout Elizabeth Williams is a 7'0 center who most recently transferred to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior season.

The key Duke prospect played on the Nike EYBL circuit this past summer where he suited up for Boo Williams out of Virginia.  Williams showed consistent improvement and impressed the Duke staff which was quick to offer.

Williams recently had this to say to Stockrisers about Duke, "Obviously, they’re a legendary program with Coach K. They’ve been recruiting me hard, and they want to create a really special 2020 class. I feel like they do a good job of adjusting for their bigs to do what they do well from year to year."

Williams will visit Duke on October 26th.  He will visit Michigan this weekend and is expected in today.   For more on Williams, Duke basketball recruiting efforts and our take on how this one will play out, join Blue Devil Nation Premium during our one-year special.

 

Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Duke Offers 2020 PF Jaemyn Brakefield

6-8 PF from Huntington Prep, Jaemyn Brakefield holds a Duke offer.

Duke basketball has offered 2020 power forward Jaemyn Brakefield of Huntington Prep in West Virginia.  Brakefield received the offer after talking with Mike Krzyzewski and the Blue Devil staff.

Brakefield is a consensus top 40 rated player and plays a position of need for Duke. The Blue Devils frontcourt will be gutted after the coming season, so they are looking for bodies.

The left-handed Brakefield is a combo forward which some describe as smooth on the court.  He is capable of helping on the boards and can stretch the defense with his outside shot.

Brakefield has one more official visit to make and Duke hopes to get him on campus sooner rather than later.  He holds offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Ole Miss, Michigan and others.  More to come!  Join Blue Devil Nation Premium during our yearly special and support our efforts.

Check out Brakefields tweet below which is followed by two videos of his game.  There is also a tweet from current Duke verbal commitment Jalen Johnson wanting him to join the #brotherhood.

Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Henry Coleman Chooses Duke – Updated

Henry Coleman looks good in a Duke uniform. He is the fourth player to commit to the 2020 class. For more on recruiting, join BDN Premium during our one-year special.

The Duke Blue Devils got a pledge from 2020 power forward Henry Coleman III.  The Richmond, Virginia native made his collegiate choice moments ago at Trinity Episcopal High Scool.

Coleman opened a gift box which contained a Duke cap and placed it on his head.  Some Duke blue balloons on the side may have been a giveaway but his family and friends cheered loudly after his choice.  And for good reason for he is his class's president.

"Duke just felt like home."  The newest Blue Devil commit said he felt he fit in well with his future teammates.  He reiterated, "I talked to Coach K a couple of days before the visit and he said as soon as you get on campus I was going to know it was home."

Coleman stands a good chance of making an immediate impact with Duke which is expected to lose much of their frontcourt.  He is a hard-nosed and hard-working prospect capable of guard either forward spot on the court.

Duke coach Nate James played a vital role as lead assistant.  The Blue Devils gained their fourth commitment in the 2020 class.  Coleman will join recently committed DJ Steward, Jalen Johnson, and Jeremy Roach.

And his commitment brings another big plus.  "Now, I’m turning in to a recruiter for my team and I’m going after Mark Williams!," Coleman said in his USA Today blog.  He continued, "It’s easier for me because we’re actually best friends and we played AAU together for years, and we’ve always played really well together."

Coleman impressed the Duke staff while playing for Team Loaded on the Adidas Gauntlet circuit.  His improved play this past season drew a number of offers and the Blue Devils held off the likes of Virginia Tech, Ohio State and Michigan during the process.

Team Coleman

Interestingly, Nate James and Coleman have a lot in common.  James had the nickname Nate "Dogg," while in Durham and he was always around for a key rebound or basket.  Coleman should develop nicely at Duke with his athleticism and hustle.

Coleman fits in nicely with his future class and gives the Blue Devils a strong body in the paint.

The Blue Devils are far from finished with the Class of 2020.  They will now turn their attention to other key players including a big man back on the radar.  For more on the latest recruiting efforts, join Blue Devil Nation Premium during our one-year special.  We have years of experience and get out to the gyms to see the young men in person.

Check back for more on Coleman and his decision to attend Duke University.

 

 

Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Duke Set to Host DJ Steward

The Duke basketball staff will entertain DJ Steward this weekend for his official visit.  The Blue Devils have been heavily involved with the dual guard since this summer.

Steward is a Chicago native and that, of course, is where head coach Mike Krzyzewski is from.  The Blue Devils staff flew up to visit the star guard earlier this week.

Steward hoops for Whitney Young High School which produced Duke alum Jahlil Okafor.

It is no secret that Steward has been a focus of the Blue Devils staff and they are now moving quickly to state their case.  This will be the Stewart's family first visit to campus.

Steward most recently visited Texas and many have said Louisville has been all-in on him of late.  Both Duke and Louisville visited Chicago this week, but the Blue Devils have moved fast to get him on campus and show him how they envision his use should he become a part of the brotherhood.

Duke continues it's busy September and most recently hosted Henry Coleman and Walker Kessler as they try to round out their class.  The Blue Devils will also host Mark Williams soon as they zero in on their prospects of choice.

For more on Steward and how we think this recruitment will play out, join Blue Devil Nation during our 60.00 for one-year special.  We give you a straight forward take without the fluff on recruiting and views on the team.

 

 

Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Duke Offers Jonathan Kuminga

There is no lack of offers of late from the Duke Blue Devils which have extended and an invitation to stellar prospect Jonathan Kuminga.

The 6-8 hybrid forward plays for Our Savior New American School High School in New York and is the top-ranked player in his class of 2021.

He has some Duke ties in that former Blue Devil player Andy Borman is his coach.  Kuminga had impressed everyone on the summer circuit with his play and he holds offers from Kentucky and St.John's as well.

The general belief is that it is very early in his recruitment.