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JasonEvans
08-03-2011, 07:20 PM
I am totally serious about this.

There is a 5-year-old kid who is playing, and playing well, against 3rd and 4th graders (kids 4-5 years older than him). He is from Maine and is supposedly one of the 20 or so best players in the 3rd/4th age group in Maine... even though he is 4-5 years younger than everyone else in that age group.

His father coaches an AAU team that just won the AAU 19U national title (http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/19U-AAU-national-title-hoops-squad-features-a-fi?urn=highschool-wp4218&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)... and the 5-year old is on the team's roster. He does not play much, but he does get into games and he apparently is not totally lost when he does.

Ready for the best part? His dream is to play PG for Duke!!!

--Jason "Wojo or Dawkins or Amaker or Battier... whoever is next after K... needs to get this kid on their radar ;) " Evans

BD80
08-03-2011, 07:59 PM
So we have worry about the 2021 NBA lockout and CBA wrt draft age/eligibility?

Chris Randolph
08-03-2011, 08:43 PM
Just bought the kids Duke jersey and season tickets for 2024-2027

licc85
08-03-2011, 08:52 PM
He's so tiny, he doesn't even have enough space in between his legs to dribble a ball through them hahaha. I can't see how he could actually contribute in a real AAU game, there's no way he's fast enough to make any defender break a sweat and you can block his shot by extending your arm forward. Plus, if he's guarding you, you can literally jump over him with extreme ease. Maybe in 12 years, this becomes a story, but this is hoping for too much right now.

tommy
08-03-2011, 11:01 PM
Let's just make sure we only contact him after his nap is completely over, and not when he merely wakes up for a few minutes before going back to sleep. I know, it's a gray area as to when one nap is over and another begins, but better safe than sorry.

Greg_Newton
08-03-2011, 11:25 PM
Eh, not really a fan. Very low release point on his jumper and way too much arm, seems to play almost completely below the rim, and his lateral quickness will have to improve fairly significantly before he can guard ACC-level PGs. :p

All seriousness, hope this kid turns out okay, like, as a person. Hopefully he gets a childhood to go along with those insane handles...

CameronBornAndBred
08-03-2011, 11:38 PM
All seriousness, hope this kid turns out okay, like, as a person. Hopefully he gets a childhood to go along with those insane handles...
Ditto and thanks for saying it. Some of these kids get a childhood, but plenty don't. And lots get the hype just like this kid is getting now and you never hear from them again. Not that it doesn't mean they haven't gone on to lead a decent life, but they were brought up for success and it has to affect them that so many eyes were on them when it didn't pan out the way the adults in their lives expected.

striker219
08-03-2011, 11:46 PM
Fantastic. Another short, white point guard who can't drive. On the plus side he'll be able to get a learners permit in a decade.

I'm here all week folks.



Seriously though, I hope that his dad is grounded enough to give him an actual childhood. Wild story.

OldPhiKap
08-03-2011, 11:48 PM
How many cinder-blocks tall is he, and what is his femur:height ratio? Let's get on to the serious analysis!!!!

camion
08-04-2011, 08:22 AM
Recruiting him could be tough. We will face the inevitable whispers that coach K is past his prime, hair color notwithstanding.

fidel
08-04-2011, 09:17 AM
after his campus visit included a tour of Ben and Jerry's...

ChillinDuke
08-04-2011, 09:22 AM
Not athletic enough...

:rolleyes:

OldPhiKap
08-04-2011, 09:24 AM
Great. Another Pampered athlete.

BD80
08-04-2011, 10:24 AM
Fantastic. Another short, white point guard who can't drive. ...

But it seems he has the leadership skills and basketball knowledge we covet, is he our next "big man" coach?

JasonEvans
08-04-2011, 01:33 PM
Seriously though, I hope that his dad is grounded enough to give him an actual childhood. Wild story.

I think that notion went out the window when his dad decided to put him on the roster of the U19 team he was coaching.

Hey, if nothing else, the kid will be able to put on dribbling exhibitions for a career. Sorta reminds me of Sean Miller when he was a youngster (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIx4agmtxd8).

-Jason "I recall Clark 'In The Dark' Francis used to rank 7th graders -- ludicrous!" Evans

dukeballboy88
08-05-2011, 10:31 AM
My 3 year old aint quite on this kids level yet but he has learned B-E-E-F and we practice perfect form everyday before he is allowed to relase the ball. Maybe we can put him on the radar?

JasonEvans
08-05-2011, 08:50 PM
My 3 year old aint quite on this kids level yet but he has learned B-E-E-F and we practice perfect form everyday before he is allowed to relase the ball. Maybe we can put him on the radar?

Please keep Class of 2026 recruiting news out of the Class of 2024 thread.

;)

--Jason "just modding a bit" Evans

Mike Corey
08-05-2011, 11:08 PM
I tried to arrange an interview but his handler said he only communicates via Skype.

BD80
08-05-2011, 11:25 PM
I tried to arrange an interview but his handler said he only communicates via Skype.

Dump him now. We only want kids that are smart enough to keep up with technology. The new Google allows multi-person video conferencing and has some cool features, like the LOUDEST person is afforded the center window with the other conferencees in perimeter windows.

Bostondevil
08-07-2011, 09:35 AM
He's from that noted recruiting hotbed of Maine.

(We are talking about hockey, right?)

NovaScotian
08-07-2011, 11:04 AM
He's from that noted recruiting hotbed of Maine.

(We are talking about hockey, right?)

don't forget maine's finest acc recruit - nik caner-medley

CameronBlue
08-07-2011, 11:06 AM
My 3 year old aint quite on this kids level yet but he has learned B-E-E-F and we practice perfect form everyday before he is allowed to relase the ball. Maybe we can put him on the radar?

Duke doesn't recruit over players already in the fold.

OldPhiKap
08-07-2011, 12:15 PM
That kid is as smooth as a baby's bottom.

And sometimes just as explosive!

dukeballboy88
08-07-2011, 02:47 PM
Great thread, you guys are crazy.

gumbomoop
08-08-2011, 10:42 AM
Football is the world's religion. And btw, Duke-Carolina is not the most passionate rivalry in the world.

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6843531/real-madrid-signs-7-year-old-argentine-prospect-leo

Waynne
08-08-2011, 03:29 PM
don't forget maine's finest acc recruit - nik caner-medley

And Ralph Mims at FSU.

JasonEvans
08-08-2011, 09:07 PM
Football is the world's religion. And btw, Duke-Carolina is not the most passionate rivalry in the world.

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6843531/real-madrid-signs-7-year-old-argentine-prospect-leo

I heard a commentator say today, "looking at that picture of the kid, I think there is a little bit of Danny Almonte in him."


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_eeGC70Uls

-Jason "Sebastian Telfair was the greatest 11-year old in basketball history... so they said" Evans

Neals384
08-09-2011, 11:04 AM
Let's not put unreasonable expectations on the kid just because his dad is a famous player and coach....
Oh, wait a minute.

fidel
04-11-2020, 11:02 AM
Zombie Thread.

Anyone know where this kid ended up?

Indoor66
04-11-2020, 02:07 PM
Zombie Thread.

Anyone know where this kid ended up?

Graveyard of broken dreams?

dukelifer
04-11-2020, 02:39 PM
Zombie Thread.

Anyone know where this kid ended up?

I think this kid was Reese Woodbury- son of Mike Woodbury - a HS coach who got in a lot of trouble for verbally abusing his players- caught on tape. If I would guess, given that Reese does not show up in any searches- he probably peaked at 5.

JasonEvans
04-11-2020, 05:36 PM
I think this kid was Reese Woodbury- son of Mike Woodbury - a HS coach who got in a lot of trouble for verbally abusing his players- caught on tape. If I would guess, given that Reese does not show up in any searches- he probably peaked at 5.

I found a mention (https://www.tcpalm.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2017/12/29/treasure-coast-prevails-over-martin-county-don-wallen-tournament-final/978755001/) of a 6th grader in Dec of 2017 named Reese Woodbury (which should be the right age of a kid who was 5 in 2011) who played for the varsity basketball team at The Pine School in Florida. A 6th grader playing Varsity would somewhat match the track of this "phenom."

But, I checked the website and there is no Reese Woodbury currently on the Pine School basketball team. So, he must have gone elsewhere. If anyone else wants to do some digging, go for it. He would be just an 8th grader at this point, so not yet even in high school.

dukelifer
04-11-2020, 08:41 PM
I found a mention (https://www.tcpalm.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2017/12/29/treasure-coast-prevails-over-martin-county-don-wallen-tournament-final/978755001/) of a 6th grader in Dec of 2017 named Reese Woodbury (which should be the right age of a kid who was 5 in 2011) who played for the varsity basketball team at The Pine School in Florida. A 6th grader playing Varsity would somewhat match the track of this "phenom."

But, I checked the website and there is no Reese Woodbury currently on the Pine School basketball team. So, he must have gone elsewhere. If anyone else wants to do some digging, go for it. He would be just an 8th grader at this point, so not yet even in high school.

Getting closer- His dad is in a heap of financial trouble.

https://www.facebook.com/stluciegolf/photos/a.1884349368340241/2036804659761377/?type=3&theater

DavidBenAkiva
01-17-2022, 11:19 AM
One of the top players in the Class of 2024, 6'7" G Naasir Cunningham, will take a visit to Duke this upcoming weekend. Cunningham displayed his mix of quickness, vertical ability, and shooting touch at the Hoophall Classic on Sunday night. He led the Gill St. Bernard (NJ) squad with 24 points on 5-6 shooting from 3 to go along with a few eye-popping dunks. He gets above the rim quickly, in a similar fashion to Cassius Stanley. He's a smooth and blazingly fast athlete with great shooting mechanics. His HS team includes another Duke target, Class of 2023 F Mackenzie Mgbako. He plays for the NY Renaissance AAU team with Class of 2022 commit Kyle Filipowski and coach Andy Borman. Suffice it say, this kid has a number of Duke connections.

Cunningham will be on campus with another top Class of 2023 target, GG Jackson.

https://twitter.com/Andrew__Slater/status/1482908414846148611

Here's a highlight video of Cunningham from Sunday night. Mgbako finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds for the GSB team. Dereck Lively, after a big performance earlier in the weekend, was quiet in this matchup.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UWaIM1qFvI

sbroc012
01-17-2022, 01:01 PM
Getting closer- His dad is in a heap of financial trouble.

https://www.facebook.com/stluciegolf/photos/a.1884349368340241/2036804659761377/?type=3&theater

Some quick internet sleuthing. His name is Reese Woodbury, and based on his instagram he is now focusing on golf. There are also some pictures of him when younger playing basketball with older players.

gam7
01-18-2022, 04:49 PM
One of the top players in the Class of 2024, 6'7" G Naasir Cunningham, will take a visit to Duke this upcoming weekend. Cunningham displayed his mix of quickness, vertical ability, and shooting touch at the Hoophall Classic on Sunday night. He led the Gill St. Bernard (NJ) squad with 24 points on 5-6 shooting from 3 to go along with a few eye-popping dunks. He gets above the rim quickly, in a similar fashion to Cassius Stanley. He's a smooth and blazingly fast athlete with great shooting mechanics. His HS team includes another Duke target, Class of 2023 F Mackenzie Mgbako. He plays for the NY Renaissance AAU team with Class of 2022 commit Kyle Filipowski and coach Andy Borman. Suffice it say, this kid has a number of Duke connections.

Cunningham will be on campus with another top Class of 2023 target, GG Jackson.

https://twitter.com/Andrew__Slater/status/1482908414846148611

Here's a highlight video of Cunningham from Sunday night. Mgbako finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds for the GSB team. Dereck Lively, after a big performance earlier in the weekend, was quiet in this matchup.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UWaIM1qFvI

To be a little more specific, Cunningham is THE #1 player in ESPN's Top 25 (http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings/_/class/2024/view/super60/sort/rank/order/true) for 2024. He looked like far and away the best player in the highlight reel from that game (including Mgbako).

Pghdukie
01-18-2022, 05:34 PM
Speaking of young up and comers - who are you more interested in seeing in a Duke uniform - Bronnie or the Boozer boys ? Just asking !

JasonEvans
01-18-2022, 07:00 PM
Speaking of young up and comers - who are you more interested in seeing in a Duke uniform - Bronnie or the Boozer boys ? Just asking !

Not sure why this is in the 2024 thread. Bronny is class of 2023 while the Boozer boys (Cameron Boozer is said to be the better of the two) are in class of 2025.

Wait... you just split the difference**. Ahhhh, well that makes sense ;)

As for which I would rather see at Duke... while Bronny carries a "cool" factor that is hard to resist, I think winning matters more than anything else and, based on early reports, it looks like the Boozer twins, especially Cameron, will be better prospects.

That said, because he is 2 years ahead, Bronny is more of a known commodity. Who knows if the Boozers will even be top 100 recruits in 3+ years.

I'll take all three of them, please.

-Jason "**- either that or you got lucky" Evans

Pghdukie
01-19-2022, 10:48 AM
Wanted to see if anyone would catch that !

DavidBenAkiva
01-23-2022, 08:59 PM
It turns out that Naasir Cunningham did NOT make it to Duke this past weekend for a visit. However, he did announce via twitter that he received an official offer from HCIW Scheyer and the staff.


After a great facetime call with Coach Scheyer.. I am blessed to receive an offer from Duke University! Go Blue Devils!

https://twitter.com/NaasCunningham/status/1485369719230189574

CameronBornAndBred
01-23-2022, 09:07 PM
It turns out that Naasir Cunningham did NOT make it to Duke this past weekend for a visit. However, he did announce via twitter that he received an official offer from HCIW Scheyer and the staff.



https://twitter.com/NaasCunningham/status/1485369719230189574

Smart move. He can come back on a safer travel day. :)

OZZIE4DUKE
01-23-2022, 09:12 PM
Smart move. He can come back on a safer travel day. :)
I didn’t make it to Cameron on Saturday either. We will be there on Tuesday night.

heyman25
01-24-2022, 01:37 PM
West Orange, New Jersey received an offer.
https://twitter.com/NaasCunningham

CrazyNotCrazie
01-24-2022, 02:22 PM
West Orange, New Jersey received an offer.
https://twitter.com/NaasCunningham

Same hometown but different HS as Kyrie. Former home of Thomas Edison. And a short bike ride from the CNC birthplace museum (tell them DBR sent you and it is half price.)

brlftz
02-21-2022, 10:07 AM
Anyone know anything about this guy that we apparently offered over the weekend? A couple of links:

Adam Rowe article:
https://247sports.com/Article/darren-harris-duke-blue-devils-basketball-recruiting-offer-183147778/

247 Profile
https://247sports.com/player/darren-harris-46127758/

Nugget
02-21-2022, 10:12 AM
Don’t know but this sounds good:

“Harris wields a straight up flame thrower from deep and has impeccable shot mechanics. He made all five threes he took after hitting three of them during his game on Saturday to finish with 21.”

Always can use more guys who can shoot.

JasonEvans
02-21-2022, 01:23 PM
Anyone know anything about this guy that we apparently offered over the weekend? A couple of links:

Adam Rowe article:
https://247sports.com/Article/darren-harris-duke-blue-devils-basketball-recruiting-offer-183147778/

247 Profile
https://247sports.com/player/darren-harris-46127758/

We have a bit of a Paul IV pipeline at this point with Roach and Keels. I am sure Trevor knows a bit about this kid as they were on the team together last year.

DavidBenAkiva
02-21-2022, 02:08 PM
We have a bit of a Paul IV pipeline at this point with Roach and Keels. I am sure Trevor knows a bit about this kid as they were on the team together last year.

I would say so.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FMFwoe6WUAM7N4f?format=jpg&name=large

I am just catching up on the news following a 2-day road trip. Seems like Duke is early on this one as Harris only has a couple of offers so far.

jimsumner
02-21-2022, 03:19 PM
Don’t know but this sounds good:

“Harris wields a straight up flame thrower from deep and has impeccable shot mechanics. He made all five threes he took after hitting three of them during his game on Saturday to finish with 21.”

Always can use more guys who can shoot.

After the events of the Wisconsin-Michigan postgame I'm not sure it's a good idea to have a flame thrower anywhere near the benches.

mkirsh
02-21-2022, 03:22 PM
I would say so.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FMFwoe6WUAM7N4f?format=jpg&name=large

I am just catching up on the news following a 2-day road trip. Seems like Duke is early on this one as Harris only has a couple of offers so far.

Does Keels have is own logo?

dukelifer
02-21-2022, 03:33 PM
Does Keels have is own logo?

I think Paolo pays Keels to wear Paolo's logo- now that Paolo is a brand.

dukelifer
02-21-2022, 03:37 PM
Don’t know but this sounds good:

“Harris wields a straight up flame thrower from deep and has impeccable shot mechanics. He made all five threes he took after hitting three of them during his game on Saturday to finish with 21.”

Always can use more guys who can shoot.

Really nice mechanics. Looks like he watches a lot of Steph Curry.

sagegrouse
02-21-2022, 03:52 PM
We have a bit of a Paul IV pipeline at this point with Roach and Keels. I am sure Trevor knows a bit about this kid as they were on the team together last year.

It's a long reach, since Paul IV died in 1559. I do remember Paul VI, who lived through the 1970s.

jimsumner
02-21-2022, 04:00 PM
It's a long reach, since Paul IV died in 1559. I do remember Paul VI, who lived through the 1970s.

Chuck Taylor hadn't even invented Converse All-Stars in 1559.

Indoor66
02-21-2022, 04:13 PM
Chuck Taylor hadn't even invented Converse All-Stars in 1559.

Yeah, I think it was in 1587 that he put them on the market - in France. 😂

TywinBlue
02-21-2022, 04:14 PM
Chuck Taylor hadn't even invented Converse All-Stars in 1559.

But Carolina WAS cheating in 1559.

Indoor66
02-21-2022, 04:15 PM
But Carolina WAS cheating in 1559.

And Dean knew.

gam7
02-22-2022, 06:09 PM
Really nice mechanics. Looks like he watches a lot of Steph Curry.

From the Q&A linked in the front page, the young man patterns his game after Klay Thompson's. I can get on board with that!


Relevant Q&A:

"Which player do you emulate your game after?

'Klay Thompson, we are similar in size, and I study a lot of his off-ball movement, and reads off screens.'”


That answer really sounds like a coach's kid, which apparently he is.

dukelifer
02-22-2022, 06:37 PM
From the Q&A linked in the front page, the young man patterns his game after Klay Thompson's. I can get on board with that!


Relevant Q&A:

"Which player do you emulate your game after?

'Klay Thompson, we are similar in size, and I study a lot of his off-ball movement, and reads off screens.'”


That answer really sounds like a coach's kid, which apparently he is.
Sure- that works

mkirsh
02-22-2022, 06:46 PM
From the Q&A linked in the front page, the young man patterns his game after Klay Thompson's. I can get on board with that!


Relevant Q&A:

"Which player do you emulate your game after?

'Klay Thompson, we are similar in size, and I study a lot of his off-ball movement, and reads off screens.'”


That answer really sounds like a coach's kid, which apparently he is.

I'll bet he hated Gard's timeout vs Michigan

JasonEvans
02-23-2022, 06:26 AM
I'll bet he hated Gard's timeout vs Michigan

https://y.yarn.co/52b75114-db69-4928-b187-628cab695388_text.gif

DavidBenAkiva
03-03-2022, 05:36 PM
Duke has extended an offer to the 3rd member of the Class of 2024, 6'7" G/F Bryson Tucker of Baltimore, Maryland.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FM4ZMyuXMAE38zg?format=jpg&name=small

tommy
04-15-2022, 12:28 PM
6'9" Jason Asemota visiting in the next few weeks. Different sites have him rated very differently -- top 5, top 20, or below. It's still early for these kids though. Note: he says he'll also be visiting UNC.

TKG
04-25-2022, 11:23 AM
Nassir Cunningham 6'7" has an offer form Duke according to this article.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33803461/naasir-cunningham-no-1-high-school-basketball-recruit-2024-sign-elite-keep-college-eligibility

DavidBenAkiva
04-26-2022, 09:35 AM
Nassir Cunningham 6'7" has an offer form Duke according to this article.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33803461/naasir-cunningham-no-1-high-school-basketball-recruit-2024-sign-elite-keep-college-eligibility

It's interesting that Cunningham is not taking a salary from OTE in hopes of maintaining college eligibility. This kid is super athletic, a great shooter, and has a lot of tools to be a great wing scorer. I hope he does go to college for a year. It'll be fun to watch.

CrazyNotCrazie
04-26-2022, 09:44 AM
It's interesting that Cunningham is not taking a salary from OTE in hopes of maintaining college eligibility. This kid is super athletic, a great shooter, and has a lot of tools to be a great wing scorer. I hope he does go to college for a year. It'll be fun to watch.

According to this article, he is from the same hometown as Kyrie Irving, and, more importantly, was at the same HS as Mgbako. Hopefully the relationship with Mgbako will help Duke. Cunningham is taking an interesting path.

Kdogg
04-26-2022, 11:41 AM
It's interesting that Cunningham is not taking a salary from OTE in hopes of maintaining college eligibility. This kid is super athletic, a great shooter, and has a lot of tools to be a great wing scorer. I hope he does go to college for a year. It'll be fun to watch.

He's not getting a salary but will be able to get NIL money. It's a six of one half and a half dozen of the other.

johnb
05-05-2022, 10:05 AM
Trentyn Flowers, a 6'8" sophomore who's been compared to Brendan Ingram, is a 5 Star and ranked #8 in his class. He has the usual list of college destinations but, according to an article this morning, says that Duke is his "dream school." The article mentions that Duke has, thus far, targeted only 3 guys in that 2024 class, including Naas Cunningham (rated #1 by 247 and a teammate of Mackenzie Mgbako), Bryson Tucker (#5, who has a Duke offer: https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/Article/Bryson-Tucker-2024-basketball-recruiting-first-blue-blood-offer-Duke-Jon-Scheyer-183943429/), and Darren Harris (#49, who happens to attend the same hs as Keels and Roach).
https://balldurham.com/2022/05/04/duke-basketball-recruiting-dream-school/

If you want to read about Flowers' high school, Sierra Canyon, which is best known for producing Marvin Bagley, III:
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/02/sierra-canyon-basketball-team.html

Okay, Sierra Canyon's basketball team is best known for currently featuring the sons of LeBron and D Wade, etc, but Bagley is the only NBA player for this school that was created when Flowers was a toddler.

Kedsy
05-05-2022, 11:07 AM
There is already a thread (https://forums.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showthread.php?25882-2024-Men-s-Basketball-Recruiting&highlight=2024+recruiting) for this.

johnb
05-05-2022, 11:28 AM
There is already a thread (https://forums.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showthread.php?25882-2024-Men-s-Basketball-Recruiting&highlight=2024+recruiting) for this.

I'd thought there was a 2024 thread but couldn't find it. Your link is just the spot, though it was started 11 years ago, doesn't have a 2024 headline and lacks a reference to Flowers.

Maybe a moderator can merge?

MarkD83
05-05-2022, 12:24 PM
Recruiting him could be tough. We will face the inevitable whispers that coach K is past his prime, hair color notwithstanding.

I think the "5-year old" who was the original subject of this thread was scared off by Coach K's retirement. :)

tommy
05-05-2022, 01:55 PM
Trentyn Flowers, a 6'8" sophomore who's been compared to Brendan Ingram, is a 5 Star and ranked #8 in his class. He has the usual list of college destinations but, according to an article this morning, says that Duke is his "dream school." The article mentions that Duke has, thus far, targeted only 3 guys in that 2024 class, including Naas Cunningham (rated #1 by 247 and a teammate of Mackenzie Mgbako), Bryson Tucker (#5, who has a Duke offer: https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/Article/Bryson-Tucker-2024-basketball-recruiting-first-blue-blood-offer-Duke-Jon-Scheyer-183943429/), and Darren Harris (#49, who happens to attend the same hs as Keels and Roach).
https://balldurham.com/2022/05/04/duke-basketball-recruiting-dream-school/

If you want to read about Flowers' high school, Sierra Canyon, which is best known for producing Marvin Bagley, III:
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/02/sierra-canyon-basketball-team.html

Okay, Sierra Canyon's basketball team is best known for currently featuring the sons of LeBron and D Wade, etc, but Bagley is the only NBA player for this school that was created when Flowers was a toddler.

You mean other than Cassius Stanley, Zaire Williams, Scottie Pippen Jr., Kenyon Martin Jr., and BJ Boston? Amari Bailey will spend one year at UCLA and then he too will be in the NBA.

Also, D Wade's son is no longer on the team.

johnb
05-07-2022, 07:48 AM
You mean other than Cassius Stanley, Zaire Williams, Scottie Pippen Jr., Kenyon Martin Jr., and BJ Boston? Amari Bailey will spend one year at UCLA and then he too will be in the NBA.

Also, D Wade's son is no longer on the team.

Well, that’s what I get for uncritically trusting that NY Magazine article from February 2020–anything else begin to get rolling about then?

Bluedog
05-07-2022, 09:35 AM
I think the "5-year old" who was the original subject of this thread was scared off by Coach K's retirement. :)

Was trying to Google what happened to him, but can't even find his name....I guess he's 15/16 now.

dukelifer
05-07-2022, 11:09 AM
Was trying to Google what happened to him, but can't even find his name...I guess he's 15/16 now.

I found it a while ago

I think this kid was Reese Woodbury- son of Mike Woodbury - a HS coach who got in a lot of trouble for verbally abusing his players- caught on tape.

He looks like this kid

https://minorleaguegolf.com/bio.asp?Record_ID=7612

Bluedog
05-07-2022, 01:00 PM
I found it a while ago

I think this kid was Reese Woodbury- son of Mike Woodbury - a HS coach who got in a lot of trouble for verbally abusing his players- caught on tape.

He looks like this kid

https://minorleaguegolf.com/bio.asp?Record_ID=7612

Thanks. Went to golf and moved from Maine to Florida? Interesting.

DavidBenAkiva
06-15-2022, 11:32 AM
This morning at midnight was the first time coaching staffs could reach out to contact recruits directly from the Class of 2024. My scraping of twitter indicates that the Duke staff has reached out to the following recruits:
Naasir Cunningham, a 6'7" G/F from New Jersey
Bryson Tucker, a 6'7" F from Baltimore, MD
James Brown, a 6'9" F/C from St. Rita in Chicago
Liam McNeeley, a 6'7" F from Texas
Darrin Harris, a 6'6" G/F from Paul VI in Virginia

Cunningham, Harris, and Tucker have previously received an offer from Duke.

jaywilliams22
06-15-2022, 02:14 PM
Another offer. https://twitter.com/iamtrejohnson1/status/1537127212717064194?s=20&t=cHJ6b_QPrdKdqBOrPPb0Qg

I'm pretty excited to see the Jai Lucas + Scheyer recruiting combo. Wow!

DavidBenAkiva
06-15-2022, 02:15 PM
According to his twitter account, top 10 SG Tre Johnson has received an offer from Coach Scheyer and the staff at Duke. Johnson is a 6'5" SG from the Dallas, TX area and is ranked in the top 5 by 247 Sports.

He called it "University of Duke" in his twitter post. Marques Bolden did that, too, if I recall. Maybe that's a good sign? This could also be the first recruit where Jai Lucas serves as the lead recruiter. One to watch, for sure.

https://twitter.com/iamtrejohnson1/status/1537127212717064194

Billy Dat
06-15-2022, 02:51 PM
He called it "University of Duke" in his twitter post. Marques Bolden did that, too.

Maybe it's a Texas thing...I hear Thomas Hill, Matt Jones and Justise did the same thing, as did George W Bush.

Phredd3
06-15-2022, 03:28 PM
Another offer. https://twitter.com/iamtrejohnson1/status/1537127212717064194?s=20&t=cHJ6b_QPrdKdqBOrPPb0Qg

I'm pretty excited to see the Jai Lucas + Scheyer recruiting combo. Wow!

Is it just me, or is it odd that a) Twitter marked the picture as potentially sensitive content, and b) the picture is of a Duke women's game from the McCallie era?

UrinalCake
06-15-2022, 04:49 PM
According to Twitter Duke has reached out to 2024 4-star PG Jase Richardson, who is the son of former MSU and NBA guard Jason Richardson.

Is it just me or are their names backwards?

MChambers
06-15-2022, 05:37 PM
According to Twitter Duke has reached out to 2024 4-star PG Jase Richardson, who is the son of former MSU and NBA guard Jason Richardson.

Is it just me or are their names backwards?

Anyone else worried that recruiting Jason Richardson's kid will hurt out chances with Carlos's kids?

https://youtu.be/p8nNS-DROA0

JasonEvans
06-15-2022, 10:13 PM
This morning at midnight was the first time coaching staffs could reach out to contact recruits directly from the Class of 2024. My scraping of twitter indicates that the Duke staff has reached out to the following recruits:
Naasir Cunningham, a 6'7" G/F from New Jersey
Bryson Tucker, a 6'7" F from Baltimore, MD
James Brown, a 6'9" F/C from St. Rita in Chicago
Liam McNeeley, a 6'7" F from Texas
Darrin Harris, a 6'6" G/F from Paul VI in Virginia

Cunningham, Harris, and Tucker have previously received an offer from Duke.

Add 5-star PG Boogie Fland to the list of players Duke has contacted in the class of 2024: https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/1537235624146575360

brevity
06-15-2022, 10:37 PM
Add 5-star PG Boogie Fland to the list of players Duke has contacted in the class of 2024: https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/1537235624146575360

Please tell me that his middle name is Wonder.

johnb
06-16-2022, 06:08 AM
Add 5-star PG Boogie Fland to the list of players Duke has contacted in the class of 2024: https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/1537235624146575360

For those of you who’d like to read more from his point of view, here’s his Sports illustrated blog: https://www.si.com/college/2022/04/20/boogie-fland-blog-oregon-michigan-nike-eybl

Spoiler alert: his mom doesn’t let him participate in bball tournaments unless he keeps a 90 average in all his classes, and his favorite tv show is Grey’s Anatomy. You can also follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, where he is apparently an excellent dancer.

MarkD83
06-16-2022, 07:07 AM
For those of you who’d like to read more from his point of view, here’s his Sports illustrated blog: https://www.si.com/college/2022/04/20/boogie-fland-blog-oregon-michigan-nike-eybl

Spoiler alert: his mom doesn’t let him participate in bball tournaments unless he keeps a 90 average in all his classes, and his favorite tv show is Grey’s Anatomy. You can also follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, where he is apparently an excellent dancer.

Does he like to dance to EWF?

Indoor66
06-16-2022, 09:22 AM
Does he do windows?

Billy Dat
06-16-2022, 10:45 AM
For those of you who’d like to read more from his point of view, here’s his Sports illustrated blog: https://www.si.com/college/2022/04/20/boogie-fland-blog-oregon-michigan-nike-eybl

Spoiler alert: his mom doesn’t let him participate in bball tournaments unless he keeps a 90 average in all his classes, and his favorite tv show is Grey’s Anatomy. You can also follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, where he is apparently an excellent dancer.

My nephew was a bench guy on Boogie's team this year so I got to see him up close a few times. He is smooth, but a little slight....but he is young. In the Catholic league state title game that they lost to NYC's Cardinal Hayes, he was matched up with another unbelievable player from the same class, Ian Jackson. It would be nice to keep the Stepinac to Duke pipeline going...a pipeline that started with short timer Jordan Tucker and then AJ and now, maybe, Boogie. Stepinac has always had good basketball but with AJ and RJ Davis, and now Boogie, their national profile has gone through the roof...all credit to Coach Pat Massaroni.

cbolden1
06-16-2022, 01:07 PM
Offers:
Tre Johnson
Darren Harris
Bryson Tucker
Naas Cunningham


Contact:
NR: Drew McKenna
James Brown
Liam McNeeley
Isaiah Elohim
Jase Richardson
Boogie Fland

JasonEvans
06-16-2022, 01:11 PM
Please tell me that his middle name is Wonder.

Dear lord, someone please spork this!

Son of Jarhead
06-17-2022, 10:10 AM
Dear lord, someone please spork this!

Done as requested, sir. (After I cleaned up the coffee I laugh-sprayed on my desk, though.)

SkyBrickey
06-17-2022, 11:23 AM
Offers:
Tre Johnson
Darren Harris
Bryson Tucker
Naas Cunningham


Contact:
NR: Drew McKenna
James Brown
Liam McNeeley
Isaiah Elohim
Jase Richardson
Boogie Fland

For those curious, I dropped in their position and ESPN ranks below. If this is right, we are not yet targeting any of the five top-20 PF/C prospects. This seems to be a pattern with 2023 and now 2024 - recruit the guards and wings early and let the big men develop before swooping in like we seem to now be doing with Xavier Booker for 2023.

Offers:
Tre Johnson (6-4 SG, ESPN 4)
Darren Harris (6-4 SG, ESPN 43)
Bryson Tucker (6-5 SF, ESPN 9)
Naas Cunningham (6-7 SF, ESPN 1)


Contact:
NR: Drew McKenna (6-6 SF, NR)
James Brown (6-9 C, ESPN 39)
Liam McNeeley (6-6 SF, ESPN 6)
Isaiah Elohim (6-4 SF, ESPN 2)
Jase Richardson (6-3 SG, ESPN 25)
Boogie Fland (6-2 PG, ESPN 18)

dukelifer
06-17-2022, 11:32 AM
Please tell me that his middle name is Wonder.

Boogie is already planning for his marketing campaign - Boogie with Boogie

https://www.nycompanyregistry.com/companies/boogie-fland-llc-2/

DavidBenAkiva
06-17-2022, 12:06 PM
For those curious, I dropped in their position and ESPN ranks below. If this is right, we are not yet targeting any of the five top-20 PF/C prospects. This seems to be a pattern with 2023 and now 2024 - recruit the guards and wings early and let the big men develop before swooping in like we seem to now be doing with Xavier Booker for 2023.

Offers:
Tre Johnson (6-4 SG, ESPN 4)
Darren Harris (6-4 SG, ESPN 43)
Bryson Tucker (6-5 SF, ESPN 9)
Naas Cunningham (6-7 SF, ESPN 1)


Contact:
NR: Drew McKenna (6-6 SF, NR)
James Brown (6-9 C, ESPN 39)
Liam McNeeley (6-6 SF, ESPN 6)
Isaiah Elohim (6-4 SF, ESPN 2)
Jase Richardson (6-3 SG, ESPN 25)
Boogie Fland (6-2 PG, ESPN 18)

That approach might also be a reflection of the coaches' understanding of the roster. For 2023, it's not clear right now if Stewart is a multi-year guy or not. He probably is just because the top 25 guys go pro from Duke. It seems pretty clear that Mgbako is a OAD and there aren't any other wings/forwards that are obviously going to be starters. It appears the staff hopes they can get Cunningham as a OAD, Harris as a multi-year guys, and maybe Tucker or Johnson makes sense if you think Proctor isn't going to be on the roster in November 2024, which seems like a good bet. Then, who knows if Filipowski, Mitchell, Booker, Estrella, Reeves, or anyone else will be on the roster in 2023, let alone 2024.

I've read and seen a few things that suggest Liam McNeeley might be a major target.

Here are a few quotes from an interview with Joe Tipton from On3 a few months ago that stand out:


McNeeley has yet to take an official visit, considering he’s still a sophomore, but he does have an idea of who he’d like to see.

“Definitely Duke, for sure because there is so much history there,” he says. “Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Stanford because that’s obviously a great program and great school.”


Duke is one of the latest schools to keep an eye on McNeeley. What does he like about the Blue Devils?

“Just the history of that school and the winning mentality that they have, it’s a blue blood. I’ve talked to Coach (Jon) Scheyer, and he’s a great guy. He’s obviously going to be a great coach after Coach K because he’s learned from Coach K, one of the best college coaches of all time. I’m looking forward to watching him coach his first year as a head coach at Duke so I’m excited to see what he can do.”

https://www.on3.com/news/liam-mcneeley-emerging-as-one-of-the-best-prospects-in-2024/

McNeeley is a 6'6" point-forward with an advanced passing and shooting game. He doesn't quite have the athletic pop of a lot of other top 10 recruits, but he's incredibly skilled. There are players like that - Cade Cunningham, Luka Doncic being the standout examples - that have been exemplars in that mold. McNeeley might be the next.

kidA
06-17-2022, 12:13 PM
Please tell me that his [Boogie Fland] middle name is Wonder.

This ^^^ is why we DBR Board! Well done!

DavidBenAkiva
06-21-2022, 01:21 PM
Naas Cunningham, the #1 player in the Class of 2024, gave an interview with Joe Tipton of On3. He had a number of positive things to say about Duke.


Q: Have you set up any college visits?

A: “Not yet. I think any visit I take will be after summer since I’ve been so busy. But I think I’m going to try to get Duke in, for sure.”

*Naasir Cunningham has already taken five unofficial visits — Rutgers, St. John’s, UConn, UCLA, and Duke.*

Q: Did you have a dream school growing up?

A: “Growing up, my dream school was Duke. I was a big Duke fan.”

Q: Why was Duke your dream school?

A: “It was always a big-named school and everybody was talking about Duke. Really, one of my friends in kindergarten, put me on to college basketball, because I didn’t even know what it was. And he used to come in with the Duke jerseys and I would be like ‘what’s that?’ So I started watching college basketball and started watching Duke. I didn’t know who was on the team or anything, I was just watching because I love basketball so that’s really what stuck with me so I was always a Duke fan.”

Q: What have the early conversations been like with the Duke staff?

A: “I’ve spoken to at least six coaches from Duke. They always reach out, and they constantly remind me that I’m their guy, they love me, and they want me at their school. It feels great knowing my dream school growing up is heavy on me.”

Q: Has Mackenzie (Mgbako) been recruiting you to Duke?

*Naasir Cunningham’s former high school teammate at Gill St. Bernard’s, fellow five-star Mackenzie Mgbako, a Duke commit, has been playfully recruiting him to be a Blue Devil.*

A: “Yeah, he always jokes around, saying ‘come to Duke’, ‘come to Duke’.

https://www.on3.com/news/5-star-naasir-cunningham-on-growing-up-a-duke-fan-ote-nil/

Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15
06-21-2022, 03:33 PM
Naas Cunningham, the #1 player in the Class of 2024, gave an interview with Joe Tipton of On3. He had a number of positive things to say about Duke.



https://www.on3.com/news/5-star-naasir-cunningham-on-growing-up-a-duke-fan-ote-nil/

No mention of NIL money. That's refreshing.

flyingdutchdevil
06-21-2022, 03:58 PM
No mention of NIL money. That's refreshing.

I mean, here is Nijel Pack's response to why he chose Miami:


How did NIL factor into it?

Everybody kind of thinks NIL is my No. 1 reason, but it's really not. Not at all. I had a lot of options that were way in front of that. NIL just happened to come with it. Coach Larrañaga and what he has for me, and what he has in store -- I'm thinking long term more than just right now. So NIL is not even one of my top [factors] in my decision.

It's just funny to me, how I've grown enough to the point where people's comments and concerns and their opinions on things don't really faze me anymore. Everybody that's close to me and around me is happy with the things I've been blessed with. And the people that are not, obviously they're not part of my close circle.

Why did you finally pick Miami?

Coach Larrañaga. His success with smaller guards: Shane Larkin, a few other guys. When I came on my visit, he had the proof and the track record behind it to show he's able to help guys my size get to the next level. They had a great year, and are coming off the Elite Eight run. A lot of guys are returning from that squad, so we're going to have a really good team next year. I wanted to join a good, gritty squad. I wanted to join the school where I had the best fit, where I could be a point guard. That's what I really wanted out of the transfer portal.

Being the point guard, I felt like the head coach and the point guard have to have that closer bond than anybody else on the team, so I felt like I needed to find a coach I could relate to and build the quickest and the best bond with. Coach, I felt like he had that great bond and relationship with his point guards, and a lot of trust in his point guards. That's what I want out of a coach.

I'm also definitely enjoying the shorts and T-shirts season all year. Definitely.

BS. He chose Miami because of NIL. There is nothing wrong with that. $800K is a ton of money for a 20-year old. Good for him.

But kids tend to lie in these interviews.

JasonEvans
06-21-2022, 06:23 PM
Naas Cunningham, the #1 player in the Class of 2024, gave an interview with Joe Tipton of On3. He had a number of positive things to say about Duke.


Q: What have the early conversations been like with the Duke staff?

A: “I’ve spoken to at least six coaches from Duke. They always reach out, and they constantly remind me that I’m their guy, they love me, and they want me at their school. It feels great knowing my dream school growing up is heavy on me.”

https://www.on3.com/news/5-star-naasir-cunningham-on-growing-up-a-duke-fan-ote-nil/

At first I read the line above and thought "Who are the 6 coaches he has spoken to?!?!"

Then I started to count -- Scheyer, Cwell, Amile, and Lucas make 4. I'm guessing he spoke to Coach K prior to retirement (and perhaps since he retired), so that is 5. I then figured that Nolan Smith makes 6 from before Nolan left for Louisville. But I thought a bit more and realized that maybe Naas has chatted with Mike Schrage (7). I considered things even further and realized he could be including NIL specialist Rachel Baker (8) in the "coaches I have spoken to" list.

Ok, so even excluding the departed Nolan, 6 checks out and it is entirely realistic to speak to 7 "coaches" when you are being recruited by Duke. Damn, quite the team that Scheyer has set up, isn't it?

-Jason "addendum -- I could also see recruits chatting with Will Stephens, the strength and conditioning coach" Evans

Indoor66
06-21-2022, 06:27 PM
At first I read the line above and thought "Who are the 6 coaches he has spoken to?!?!"

Then I started to count -- Scheyer, Cwell, Amile, and Lucas make 4. I'm guessing he spoke to Coach K prior to retirement (and perhaps since he retired), so that is 5. I then figured that Nolan Smith makes 6 from before Nolan left for Louisville. But I thought a bit more and realized that maybe Naas has chatted with Mike Schrage (7). I considered things even further and realized he could be including NIL specialist Rachel Baker (8) in the "coaches I have spoken to" list.

Ok, so even excluding the departed Nolan, 6 checks out and it is entirely realistic to speak to 7 "coaches" when you are being recruited by Duke. Damn, quite the team that Scheyer has set up, isn't it?

-Jason "addendum -- I could also see recruits chatting with Will Stephens, the strength and conditioning coach" Evans

Wouldn't speaking with Coach K after retirement be a recruiting violation?

Bluedog
06-21-2022, 07:43 PM
Wouldn't speaking with Coach K after retirement be a recruiting violation?

I don't think there is such a thing anymore.

I also don't think if Coach K happened to be around and some recruit says he wants to meet him that would be any sort of violation even in pre NIL days. (Or on the phone with Scheyer who mentions that Coach K is nearby). You just wouldn't have Coach K be the one to initiate a phone call to a recruit or the like.

sagegrouse
06-22-2022, 10:46 AM
Wouldn't speaking with Coach K after retirement be a recruiting violation?

It may be the case that, if the recruit comes to the Duke campus, he can speak with anyone. Aren't the restrictions on number of coaches for off-campus recruiting?

Billy Dat
06-22-2022, 06:04 PM
Boogie Fland and Cooper Flagg makes the U17 World Cup Roster
https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2022/06/2022-mu17-national-team.aspx

Sean Stewart is on the squad, too.

heyman25
07-11-2022, 01:35 PM
https://www.zagsblog.com/2022/07/11/class-of-2024-four-star-combo-guard-dylan-harper-names-four-schools-recruiting-him-the-hardest/

JasonEvans
07-22-2022, 11:20 AM
There has been some angst and wonder on this board about who Scheyer may be going after in the class of 2024 (other than Naas Cunningham).

Well, Dylan Harper (5-star, top 20 guard, son of Ron Harper) makes it clear in this article that Duke has been talking to him a lot and they are among his favorites: https://www.on3.com/news/top-20-dylan-harper-says-hes-developed-best-relationship-with-duke-indiana-etc/


“I would say I’ve developed the best relationship with Texas Tech, Rutgers, Indiana, and Duke. They all reach out to me regularly. I am looking to set a visit with those four and maybe a California school.”

budwom
07-22-2022, 11:40 AM
There has been some angst and wonder on this board about who Scheyer may be going after in the class of 2024 (other than Naas Cunningham).

Well, Dylan Harper (5-star, top 20 guard, son of Ron Harper) makes it clear in this article that Duke has been talking to him a lot and they are among his favorites: https://www.on3.com/news/top-20-dylan-harper-says-hes-developed-best-relationship-with-duke-indiana-etc/

while we don't hear much about 2024, I have absolutely zero angst about what Scheyer is doing. He has no reason to keep any of us in the loop. And much of what he's doing and will do depends upon what happens with guys like Estrella and Power.

DavidBenAkiva
07-22-2022, 11:54 AM
There has been some angst and wonder on this board about who Scheyer may be going after in the class of 2024 (other than Naas Cunningham).

Well, Dylan Harper (5-star, top 20 guard, son of Ron Harper) makes it clear in this article that Duke has been talking to him a lot and they are among his favorites: https://www.on3.com/news/top-20-dylan-harper-says-hes-developed-best-relationship-with-duke-indiana-etc/

Duke has the #1 recruiting classes in 2022 and 2023 and is maybe a couple of months from adding two more top players to the Class of 2023. I see a total 4 4-star players from the Class of 2024 have even committed to date. I doubt other fanbases would sympathize with anyone that feels angst over Duke's recruiting of the Class of 2024.

Good find on the Dylan Harper interview. FWIW, only Rivals has Harper as a 5-star recruit at the moment. 247, ESPN, and On3 all list him as a 4-star. That may change after this summer. Perhaps Harper is another late riser?

It's funny to think about the late 90's Bulls teams. The sons of Scotty Pippen and Ron Harper appear to be much better basketball players than the sons of Michael Jordan. Who would have guessed?

CrazyNotCrazie
07-22-2022, 12:00 PM
Duke has the #1 recruiting classes in 2022 and 2023 and is maybe a couple of months from adding two more top players to the Class of 2023. I see a total 4 4-star players from the Class of 2024 have even committed to date. I doubt other fanbases would sympathize with anyone that feels angst over Duke's recruiting of the Class of 2024.

Good find on the Dylan Harper interview. FWIW, only Rivals has Harper as a 5-star recruit at the moment. 247, ESPN, and On3 all list him as a 4-star. That may change after this summer. Perhaps Harper is another late riser?

It's funny to think about the late 90's Bulls teams. The sons of Scotty Pippen and Ron Harper appear to be much better basketball players than the sons of Michael Jordan. Who would have guessed?

And Rodman's daughter is likely the best athlete of all the kids.

Dylan Harper's older brother just finished up a very nice career at Rutgers and signed a two-way deal with the Raptors.

HayYou
07-22-2022, 01:50 PM
There has been some angst and wonder on this board about who Scheyer may be going after in the class of 2024 (other than Naas Cunningham).

Well, Dylan Harper (5-star, top 20 guard, son of Ron Harper) makes it clear in this article that Duke has been talking to him a lot and they are among his favorites: https://www.on3.com/news/top-20-dylan-harper-says-hes-developed-best-relationship-with-duke-indiana-etc/

I wonder if Flagg and Cameron Boozer might be our top recruits in the class? Yes they are class of 25 NOW. But given everything happening in pro hoops right now............. Maybe Jon is trying to clear the decks for possible reclassification at some point.

Take note how the Cheats didn't have space for GG's reclassification. Not a mistake to repeat or emulate.

simplyluvin
07-22-2022, 05:33 PM
Duke has the #1 recruiting classes in 2022 and 2023 and is maybe a couple of months from adding two more top players to the Class of 2023. I see a total 4 4-star players from the Class of 2024 have even committed to date. I doubt other fanbases would sympathize with anyone that feels angst over Duke's recruiting of the Class of 2024.

Good find on the Dylan Harper interview. FWIW, only Rivals has Harper as a 5-star recruit at the moment. 247, ESPN, and On3 all list him as a 4-star. That may change after this summer. Perhaps Harper is another late riser?

It's funny to think about the late 90's Bulls teams. The sons of Scotty Pippen and Ron Harper appear to be much better basketball players than the sons of Michael Jordan. Who would have guessed?

Striking to me that Dennis Rodman’s daughter may be the best of all the ex-Bull kids, albeit in a different sport.

Jeffrey and Marcus both washing out of UCF basketball is an interesting one. Can’t be easy being Michael’s kids, although their worst case will always be Charlotte Hornets front office work.

DukieTiger
07-23-2022, 01:07 AM
There has been some angst and wonder on this board about who Scheyer may be going after in the class of 2024 (other than Naas Cunningham).

Well, Dylan Harper (5-star, top 20 guard, son of Ron Harper) makes it clear in this article that Duke has been talking to him a lot and they are among his favorites: https://www.on3.com/news/top-20-dylan-harper-says-hes-developed-best-relationship-with-duke-indiana-etc/

According to 24/7, Duke has 5 offers out to the class of 2024, not including Ron Harper - just as a frame of reference.

Though I can’t blame anyone for wondering who Scheyer will get in 2024 given the bar he set with 2022 and 2023. After how quickly those classes came together, it’s weird for there to be a bit of a lull… and also there is much to flesh out with how many ‘22 and ‘23 commits might be on campus in 2024.

MChambers
07-23-2022, 07:47 AM
According to 24/7, Duke has 5 offers out to the class of 2024, not including Ron Harper - just as a frame of reference.

Though I can’t blame anyone for wondering who Scheyer will get in 2024 given the bar he set with 2022 and 2023. After how quickly those classes came together, it’s weird for there to be a bit of a lull… and also there is much to flesh out with how many ‘22 and ‘23 commits might be on campus in 2024.

Ron Harper will be awfully old by 2024, older than Tyler Hansbrough. I doubt Duke offers him.

DukieTiger
07-23-2022, 08:06 AM
Ron Harper will be awfully old by 2024, older than Tyler Hansbrough. I doubt Duke offers him.

Lol, that’s what I get for posting late at night - or maybe I was thinking outside the box to help get some experience on Duke’s roster.

JasonEvans
07-23-2022, 09:21 AM
Duke has offered 2024 big man James Brown. He's a high 4-star prospect ranked in the late 20s or early 30s. He recently got offers from Michigan, Indiana, and UNC.

https://twitter.com/TheDukeNation/status/1550692402318409730

He supposedly has said that Duke was his dream school growing up.

If James Brown does not have ridiculously good footwork, I will be very disappointed.
https://i.gifer.com/7HqU.gif

UrinalCake
07-23-2022, 09:26 AM
If James Brown does not have ridiculously good footwork, I will be very disappointed.

He’s the King of Sole

nmduke2001
07-23-2022, 11:39 AM
Duke has offered 2024 big man James Brown. He's a high 4-star prospect ranked in the late 20s or early 30s. He recently got offers from Michigan, Indiana, and UNC.

https://twitter.com/TheDukeNation/status/1550692402318409730

He supposedly has said that Duke was his dream school growing up.

If James Brown does not have ridiculously good footwork, I will be very disappointed.

Based on the videos I’ve seen, it seems like young Mr Brown might be a bit of a Ben Simmons situation. James shoots jumpers right handed but seems to be a natural lefty. For those of you that don’t follow NBA, Ben Simmons shoots lefty though his dominant hand is his right hand (mostly).
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/amp/nba/news/76ers-ben-simmons-considering-switching-shooting-hand/p5g79nzx3e1p106b7pdwf6aik

camion
07-23-2022, 12:15 PM
Based on the videos I’ve seen, it seems like young Mr Brown might be a bit of a Ben Simmons situation. James shoots jumpers right handed but seems to be a natural lefty. For those of you that don’t follow NBA, Ben Simmons shoots lefty though his dominant hand is his right hand (mostly).
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/amp/nba/news/76ers-ben-simmons-considering-switching-shooting-hand/p5g79nzx3e1p106b7pdwf6aik

I can relate. I'm a natural lefty, but usually dribbled with my right. I'm pretty sure the cross-handed dominance thing was what scuttled my potential NBA career.*






*I suppose it is also possible that my lack of height, lack of speed and lack of leaping ability were factors.

Indoor66
07-23-2022, 12:59 PM
I can relate. I'm a natural lefty, but usually dribbled with my right. I'm pretty sure the cross-handed dominance thing was what scuttled my potential NBA career.*






*I suppose it is also possible that my lack of height, lack of speed and lack of leaping ability were factors.

Nah. The issue was certainly a lack of amphibiousness.

curtis325
07-23-2022, 01:19 PM
Duke has offered 2024 big man James Brown. He's a high 4-star prospect ranked in the late 20s or early 30s. He recently got offers from Michigan, Indiana, and UNC.

https://twitter.com/TheDukeNation/status/1550692402318409730

He supposedly has said that Duke was his dream school growing up.

If James Brown does not have ridiculously good footwork, I will be very disappointed.
https://i.gifer.com/7HqU.gif

I feel good--about the Godfather of Soul in a Duke basketball uniform.

Travis
07-23-2022, 02:32 PM
Based on the videos I’ve seen, it seems like young Mr Brown might be a bit of a Ben Simmons situation. James shoots jumpers right handed but seems to be a natural lefty. For those of you that don’t follow NBA, Ben Simmons shoots lefty though his dominant hand is his right hand (mostly).
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/amp/nba/news/76ers-ben-simmons-considering-switching-shooting-hand/p5g79nzx3e1p106b7pdwf6aik

Handedness is not definitive. Leaving aside Simmons who claims to shoot left-handedly*, maybe James is just mixed-handed:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318808#Understanding-handedness

Travis

* Evidence of Simmons shooting is scarce.

Papa John
07-25-2022, 11:21 AM
Handedness is not definitive. Leaving aside Simmons who claims to shoot left-handedly*, maybe James is just mixed-handed:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318808#Understanding-handedness

Travis

* Evidence of Simmons shooting is scarce.

I think you mean amphibious, as in "I can shoot with my left hand. I can shoot with my right hand. I'm amphibious." So sayeth Sir Shackelford.

MarkD83
07-27-2022, 04:04 PM
Just wanted this near the other recruiting threads 2023 and 2025.

So what is the status of 2024 recruits?

DavidBenAkiva
07-27-2022, 04:15 PM
Just wanted this near the other recruiting threads 2023 and 2025.

So what is the status of 2024 recruits?

From what I've seen online, Duke has extended offers to the following players:

5-star G/F Naas Cunningham (#1 247Sports)
5-star G Tre Johnson (#3)
5-star F Bryson Tucker (#5)
4-star C James Brown (#31)
4-star G/F Darren Harris (#64)

I imagine that we'll see the first official visits from someone in the Class of 2024 in the winter at the earliest and most like during the spring. The Class of 2023 still needs to get sorted out before the coaching staff really hones in on the next class.

superdave
07-27-2022, 04:56 PM
James Brown

This board will enjoy this name more than anything since Cat Barber.

MarkD83
07-27-2022, 05:17 PM
From what I've seen online, Duke has extended offers to the following players:

5-star G/F Naas Cunningham (#1 247Sports)
5-star G Tre Johnson (#3)
5-star F Bryson Tucker (#5)
4-star C James Brown (#31)
4-star G/F Darren Harris (#64)

I imagine that we'll see the first official visits from someone in the Class of 2024 in the winter at the earliest and most like during the spring. The Class of 2023 still needs to get sorted out before the coaching staff really hones in on the next class.

Thanks! This looks like a promising group.

johnb
07-27-2022, 05:42 PM
From what I've seen online, Duke has extended offers to the following players:

5-star G/F Naas Cunningham (#1 247Sports)
5-star G Tre Johnson (#3)
5-star F Bryson Tucker (#5)
4-star C James Brown (#31)
4-star G/F Darren Harris (#64)

I imagine that we'll see the first official visits from someone in the Class of 2024 in the winter at the earliest and most like during the spring. The Class of 2023 still needs to get sorted out before the coaching staff really hones in on the next class.

Always hard to know what anything means this early in the cycle, but Dylan Harper (#27 in 247) reported that he's planning a Duke visit and that he and Naas Cunningham have discussed attending the same school.

For historians, his name refers to either a Nobel-prize winning musician from the upper midwest or a 5-time NBA world champion from the upper midwest (is Ohio the upper midwest?). As a spoiler, his father, Ron Harper, was cut from his high school team as a freshman, didn't play as a sophomore, gradually starred, and by the time he finished 4 years at Miami of Ohio, he was the first Miami bball player to get his number retired. Potentially, his 6'5" son will have a similar trajectory. His comments about the Duke recruitment: "The care they give you really sticks out. They give you love and support at all times. They're going to call you and check up on you."


https://www.si.com/college/duke/recruiting/duke-basketball-host-son-nba-champ

DavidBenAkiva
08-01-2022, 02:21 PM
One of the new targets for the Class of 2024 that received a lot of attention from the Duke staff has received an offer according to Andrew Slater.

Harper and close to Naas Cunningham from what I've read. The two may want to play with each other in college.

https://twitter.com/Andrew__Slater/status/1554169374856151040

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FZGEzprXwAEj390?format=jpg&name=small

Bluedog
08-02-2022, 07:53 PM
One of the new targets for the Class of 2024 that received a lot of attention from the Duke staff has received an offer according to Andrew Slater.

Harper and close to Naas Cunningham from what I've read. The two may want to play with each other in college.


Harper tweeted: "Blessed to receive a offer from the University of Duke !"

And got some flack for it from the twitterverse (mostly non Duke fans) and quickly replied to his original tweet: "Duke University my fault". At least he acknowledges mistakes! Not the first and won't be the last to say "University of Duke." I appreciate that he owned it and offered the fix.
https://twitter.com/dy1anharper/status/1554266753521311746

AtlBluRew
08-02-2022, 08:27 PM
Harper tweeted: "Blessed to receive a offer from the University of Duke !"

And got some flack for it from the twitterverse (mostly non Duke fans) and quickly replied to his original tweet: "Duke University my fault". At least he acknowledges mistakes! Not the first and won't be the last to say "University of Duke." I appreciate that he owned it and offered the fix.
https://twitter.com/dy1anharper/status/1554266753521311746

I thought to reply that I prefer THE Duke University but I didn’t think it would be clear I was laughing with Harper, not at him, and I didn’t want to besmirch Duke.

arnie
08-02-2022, 09:41 PM
Harper tweeted: "Blessed to receive a offer from the University of Duke !"

And got some flack for it from the twitterverse (mostly non Duke fans) and quickly replied to his original tweet: "Duke University my fault". At least he acknowledges mistakes! Not the first and won't be the last to say "University of Duke." I appreciate that he owned it and offered the fix.
https://twitter.com/dy1anharper/status/1554266753521311746

I’ll just call him Harper Dylan.

dukelifer
08-03-2022, 09:39 AM
I thought to reply that I prefer THE Duke University but I didn’t think it would be clear I was laughing with Harper, not at him, and I didn’t want to besmirch Duke.

Ohio State has a trademark on THE- so that is not happening.

https://qz.com/2181567/ohio-state-secures-the-trademark-for-the-word-the/amp/

kidA
08-03-2022, 10:37 AM
I thought to reply that I prefer THE Duke University but I didn’t think it would be clear I was laughing with Harper, not at him, and I didn’t want to besmirch Duke.

THE University of Duke

gam7
08-03-2022, 01:19 PM
Harper tweeted: "Blessed to receive a offer from the University of Duke !"

And got some flack for it from the twitterverse (mostly non Duke fans) and quickly replied to his original tweet: "Duke University my fault". At least he acknowledges mistakes! Not the first and won't be the last to say "University of Duke." I appreciate that he owned it and offered the fix.
https://twitter.com/dy1anharper/status/1554266753521311746

Better to make this mistake at the offer stage than at the offer acceptance stage:

14850

AtlBluRew
08-05-2022, 07:46 PM
Ohio State has a trademark on THE- so that is not happening.

https://qz.com/2181567/ohio-state-secures-the-trademark-for-the-word-the/amp/

That’s hilarious! Really clever. Did they hire a Duke grad for their marketing team?

dukelifer
08-06-2022, 07:38 AM
That’s hilarious! Really clever. Did they hire a Duke grad for their marketing team?

Well they have a former Duke Dean as their president.

DavidBenAkiva
08-10-2022, 11:27 AM
James Brown, the "hardest working junior in high school," will be visiting Duke and Cameron Indoor Stadium on October 20-22nd according to Illinois Sports Update (https://twitter.com/Sports4Illinois/status/1557071985489977344).

The 6'10" C is indeed a hard worker, playing a great deal of energy and verve in the post.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FZvUtwJXEAAK6KC?format=jpg&name=small

UrinalCake
08-10-2022, 01:53 PM
The 6'10" C is indeed a hard worker, playing a great deal of energy and verve in the post.

But will he get knocked back?

rhynelander
08-10-2022, 02:45 PM
But will he get knocked back?

If he were to, I'm certain there would be a Big Payback

dukelifer
08-10-2022, 04:06 PM
James Brown, the "hardest working junior in high school," will be visiting Duke and Cameron Indoor Stadium on October 20-22nd according to Illinois Sports Update (https://twitter.com/Sports4Illinois/status/1557071985489977344).

The 6'10" C is indeed a hard worker, playing a great deal of energy and verve in the post.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FZvUtwJXEAAK6KC?format=jpg&name=small

I feel good about this recruitment- well I knew that I would.

gam7
08-10-2022, 05:26 PM
I feel good about this recruitment- well I knew that I would.

I am excited for him to see the facilities, especially the hot tub.

UrinalCake
08-11-2022, 10:14 AM
I am excited for him to see the facilities, especially the hot tub.

One of my favorite SNL skits ever


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeSwrFKFNFw

JasonEvans
08-12-2022, 09:07 PM
Little surprised we have not heard about Duke getting involved with John Bol. He is a 7-2 center from South Sudan who has been in the US for a couple years now. He plays at Christian Brothers in Kansas for Justin Tatum, Jayson's dad. He is widely considered a top 20 recruit in the 2024 class.

Oh, and he sure seems like the kind of kid who fits the Duke profile: https://www.on3.com/news/meet-7-foot-2-sophomore-john-bol-the-human-cheat-code/


In the classroom, Bol boasts a 4.0 GPA. In six of his seven classes, he has a grade of 98 or higher. His lowest score is in Spanish (95), as he’s in the process of learning his fourth language. He also speaks fluently in English, Swahili, and Arabic.

jipops
08-12-2022, 09:40 PM
Little surprised we have not heard about Duke getting involved with John Bol. He is a 7-2 center from South Sudan who has been in the US for a couple years now. He plays at Christian Brothers in Kansas for Justin Tatum, Jayson's dad. He is widely considered a top 20 recruit in the 2024 class.

Oh, and he sure seems like the kind of kid who fits the Duke profile: https://www.on3.com/news/meet-7-foot-2-sophomore-john-bol-the-human-cheat-code/

With one of those languages he may already qualify for tenure at the school down the road.

JasonEvans
09-08-2022, 11:45 PM
Carolina gets their first 2024 recruit. He is Drake Powell, ranked as the #76 player in the country by 247 (he is #58 in their composite rankings). He had scholarship offers from Appalachian State, Cincinnati, VCU, and a few other schools**. UNC-Greensboro looked at him, but never made an offer.

https://media3.giphy.com/media/l2Sqhet3fdWbtkKPu/giphy.gif

-Jason "**-Tennessee, Miami, FSU, Wake... schools like that" Evans

DavidBenAkiva
09-09-2022, 07:51 AM
Carolina gets their first 2024 recruit. He is Drake Powell, ranked as the #76 player in the country by 247 (he is #58 in their composite rankings). He had scholarship offers from Appalachian State, Cincinnati, VCU, and a few other schools**. UNC-Greensboro looked at him, but never made an offer.

https://media3.giphy.com/media/l2Sqhet3fdWbtkKPu/giphy.gif

-Jason "**-Tennessee, Miami, FSU, Wake... schools like that" Evans

I read on reddit that Powell's father played baseball or something at UNC and that Hubert Davis is a 2nd cousin or something like that.

Seems like there are a lot of unknowns with the current roster for UNC. Leaky Black and Pete Nance will have exhausted their eligibility after this season. It's unclear if Bacot, Davis, and Love will be on the roster beyond this year. I could see Bacot and Love trying to get drafted with Davis maybe deciding to jump ship if they all leave. Justin McKoy is a senior this season, too, although played less at UNC last season than he did at UVA the year before. It could be a significant exodus from UNC after this season and they only have 1 recruit from the Class of 2023 signed up in 5-star guard Simeon Wilcher. It makes you wonder what's going on with the roster next year and the frontcourt in particular.

Anyway, that's a thought for next summer.

JasonEvans
09-09-2022, 08:11 AM
I read on reddit that Powell's father played baseball or something at UNC and that Hubert Davis is a 2nd cousin or something like that.

Seems like there are a lot of unknowns with the current roster for UNC. Leaky Black and Pete Nance will have exhausted their eligibility after this season. It's unclear if Bacot, Davis, and Love will be on the roster beyond this year. I could see Bacot and Love trying to get drafted with Davis maybe deciding to jump ship if they all leave. Justin McKoy is a senior this season, too, although played less at UNC last season than he did at UVA the year before. It could be a significant exodus from UNC after this season and they only have 1 recruit from the Class of 2023 signed up in 5-star guard Simeon Wilcher. It makes you wonder what's going on with the roster next year and the frontcourt in particular.

Anyway, that's a thought for next summer.

Well, the 2023 team is going to be built around elite big men GG Jackson and TJ Power. That's what Carolina fans were saying a few weeks ago.

https://media3.giphy.com/media/3ohzdYJK1wAdPWVk88/giphy.gif

jv001
09-09-2022, 08:54 AM
I read on reddit that Powell's father played baseball or something at UNC and that Hubert Davis is a 2nd cousin or something like that.

Seems like there are a lot of unknowns with the current roster for UNC. Leaky Black and Pete Nance will have exhausted their eligibility after this season. It's unclear if Bacot, Davis, and Love will be on the roster beyond this year. I could see Bacot and Love trying to get drafted with Davis maybe deciding to jump ship if they all leave. Justin McKoy is a senior this season, too, although played less at UNC last season than he did at UVA the year before. It could be a significant exodus from UNC after this season and they only have 1 recruit from the Class of 2023 signed up in 5-star guard Simeon Wilcher. It makes you wonder what's going on with the roster next year and the frontcourt in particular.

Anyway, that's a thought for next summer.

Will Bacot be able to draw his first social security check, receive NIL $$$$ and still be eligible to play college basketball. Oh wait, the rules don't apply to Uncheat.

johnb
09-09-2022, 10:11 AM
Little surprised we have not heard about Duke getting involved with John Bol. He is a 7-2 center from South Sudan who has been in the US for a couple years now. He plays at Christian Brothers in Kansas for Justin Tatum, Jayson's dad. He is widely considered a top 20 recruit in the 2024 class.

Oh, and he sure seems like the kind of kid who fits the Duke profile: https://www.on3.com/news/meet-7-foot-2-sophomore-john-bol-the-human-cheat-code/


He sounds like Henry Coleman meets Mark Williams.

Last I checked, the President of the South Sudan Basketball Federation was a guy named Luol Deng, who—among a variety of accolades—was one of Duke’s great players.

CrazyNotCrazie
09-09-2022, 10:23 AM
Little surprised we have not heard about Duke getting involved with John Bol. He is a 7-2 center from South Sudan who has been in the US for a couple years now. He plays at Christian Brothers in Kansas for Justin Tatum, Jayson's dad. He is widely considered a top 20 recruit in the 2024 class.

Oh, and he sure seems like the kind of kid who fits the Duke profile: https://www.on3.com/news/meet-7-foot-2-sophomore-john-bol-the-human-cheat-code/

Just a note that the school is in St. Louis, not Kansas. It is the alma mater of Caleb Love (if I recall Love wanted to come to Duke but we basically chose Roach over him?). Hopefully the Love connection plus his knowledge of Swahili does not make him interested in UNC - it sounds like he is too bright for that! Between the Tatum connection, the potential Deng connection mentioned above, Coach Carrawell's ties to St. Louis, and his interest in academics, this seems like one we should be in good shape on if we are interested.

heyman25
09-09-2022, 04:52 PM
https://247sports.com/player/carter-bryant-46117580/ Posted in error on 2025 Recruiting

Gooch
09-09-2022, 06:29 PM
I’ve never clicked on a link to 247 before—a very cool site which must take a lot of work to keep up.

And how awesome must it be to have a scholarship offer from 20+ schools all over the country. If only I was 18 years old and 6’7” and could hit a jump shot

heyman25
09-10-2022, 02:27 AM
Another Monteverde prospect. Plays Center or the 5.
https://twitter.com/TheCircuitAlex
https://twitter.com/liammcneeley30

SkyBrickey
09-10-2022, 11:47 AM
https://247sports.com/Player/Liam-McNeeley-46103856/

I’m guessing the Wendell Moore story is great to use with recruits like these. Bryant, #26 composite. McNeeley, #18 composite. We can support you as a OAD if you come to Duke and prove youre ready against top competition. Or we can help develop you into a captain and first round draft pick….

heyman25
09-10-2022, 07:31 PM
Missed the data on McNeeley. He is a small forward. 6'6 or 6'7 from Richardson,Texas

DavidBenAkiva
09-11-2022, 10:45 AM
https://247sports.com/Player/Liam-McNeeley-46103856/

I’m guessing the Wendell Moore story is great to use with recruits like these. Bryant, #26 composite. McNeeley, #18 composite. We can support you as a OAD if you come to Duke and prove youre ready against top competition. Or we can help develop you into a captain and first round draft pick….

A lot of guys like that have come through Duke lately.

Grayson Allen
Luke Kennard
Tre Jones
Wendell Moore
Mark Williams

Is Jeremy Roach next?

DavidBenAkiva
09-12-2022, 10:59 AM
I was debating which thread should get this post before landing here in the Class of 2024. My goal here is to try to see where we are with recruiting and attempt to identify which recruits are going to be targeted among the junior class. The picture will only become clear next summer, so take everything here with a giant grain of salt. This is going to be extremely difficult to project, so please give me some slack here. It's hard enough to do this for one season out. Doing it two seasons out is a fool's errand. I am a fool. Like a child that knows nothing, I will take the approach of asking a series of questions.

Question 1: Who could be on the roster in 2024-25?

The first place to start is by looking at the current roster and committed recruits from the Class of 2025. I'd like to group them into tiers based on how likely they are to be on the roster come Fall 2024, excluding the players that will have graduated or exhausted their eligibility should nothing crazy happen such as a medical issue. Here's where I landed:

100% Gone: Mackenzie Mgbako, Dereck Lively, Dariq Whitehead
95% Gone: Kyle Filipowski, Mark Mitchell, Tyrese Proctor
50% Gone: Caleb Foster, Sean Stewart
25% Gone: Jaylen Blakes, Stanley Borden (walk-on), Jared McCain, TJ Power, Christian Reeves, Jaden Schutt

I am going to assume that nearly anyone on the current and projected roster for this season and next could either transfer or go pro. This is the reason why no one got a 0% chance of being gone. For the three in the first group, it should be obvious that they are one-and-done players. The next tier are all pro prospects from the Class of 2022 that should be off to the NBA after their sophomore season if not earlier. I find it hard to believe any of those three will be juniors, although there is a slight chance of that happening, just as Wendell Moore and Grayson Allen stayed at least a year longer than most anticipated earlier in their careers. It could happen. It probably won't. The next group includes a pair of players that I just don't know enough about at this stage. Foster has the size and shooting for the PG position in the NBA, although he doesn't seem like an uber athlete that or supremely skilled ball handler that the NBA seems to like at that position. He had a big summer and we should just assume a player in his recruiting range is OAD. Stewart is ranked even higher than Foster according to most and has the athleticism for college and the NBA. The question I have seen is around skillset on offense and fit. Is he capable of generating enough offense to play on the wings as a forward? Can he bulk up enough or even grow in order to play the 5 at higher levels? If he stays around 6'8" and 220 lbs without adding a more reliable jumper or ball-handling skills, he could still be valuable as a switchable defender that can guard a lot of different types of players. There is value there, although I wonder just how much value the NBA will place on him as a "tweener." TBD.

The 25% gone category includes a mix of reserves like Blakes, Reeves, and Schutt, and freshmen from the Class of 2023 that should be sophomores. The reserves could transfer for more PT while the freshmen might want to look at the pros. McCain and Power are 5-star prospects, after all, though closer to top 20-30 than the top 15-20 from the consensus recruiting rankings. For the sake of this thought exercise, I am going to assume that all of these players are on the roster in the Fall of 2024 as well as Sean Stewart. Like I wrote above, we'll know a lot more this time next year. For now, this is the core of the roster as I see it from today.

Question 2: Who is being recruited right now?

The current offers have gone out to the following players (247 composite score in parenthesis):

Naas Cunningham, 6'7" SF, Overtime Elite GA (#1)
Tre Johnson, 6'5" SG, Lake Highlands TX (#3)
Bryson Tucker, 6'6" SF, IMG Academy FL (#5)
Dylan Harper, 6'4" G, Don Bosco Prep NJ (#27)
James Brown, 6'9" C, St. Rita IL (#31)
Darren Harris, 6'6" SF Paul VI Catholic VA (#64)

By the accounts I have read, Naas Cunningham is the top recruit in the Class of 2024 in the nation and for Duke as well. He would slot into that scoring wing role being vacated by Mackenzie Mgbako. Cunningham is a lithe scorer with a good deal of explosive quick-twitch athleticism. With the shooters that Duke might have on the roster in 2024, it would be fun to see him playing with a great deal of space and playmakers around him, like Jared McCain and TJ Power. Bryson Tucker is the other top target in this class, a player with a bigger frame than Cunningham that has reminded me a lot of Dariq Whitehead. He's a bigger wing, smooth, and can score from all 3 levels. James Brown appears to be the lone frontcourt target at the moment, which is part of the reason I see Sean Stewart playing as a sophomore (again, big projection on my part that may be revisited next summer). Like Stewart, Brown is an energy guy with good athleticism for the frontcourt. He provides rim protection and rebounding as a prototypical roll man on offense and rim protector on defense. Duke recently offered Dylan Harper, son of former NBA player Ron Harper and brother of recent Rutgers player Ron Harper, Jr. The younger Harper is a skilled scorer that had a big summer on the EYBL circuit and is friends with fellow NJ-native Cunningham. It's possible they are a combo package. Tre Johnson is an elite scoring guard from Texas. With Tyrese Proctor most likely being off to the NBA by the time Johnson shows up on a college campus, he might be the heir apparent as the lead scoring guard prospect in the class with Harper being a multi-year player. I'm not sure if that would work, but that's one possibility. The Jai Lucas connections in Texas would have to work their magic for Duke to land Johnson. Harris is a bit of an odd prospect on this list in that he is not considered a top 50 recruit by most but was one of the first players in the class to receive an offer. He is considered one of the top shooting prospects in high school, something that Coach Scheyer clearly values. The fact that he has received an offer and appears to be continuing to receive attention from the coaching staff (the Duke coaching staff is visiting him again today) makes me think they view him as a late riser or someone that will join Schutt and Reeves as that multi-year foundational player on the roster.

There are other players from the Class of 2024 that are receiving attention, headlined by a pair of wings. That includes Carter Bryant (see above) and Liam McNeely. Bryant is a 6'6" SF from Fountain Valley, CA while McNeely is a 6'6" SF from Texas playing at Montverde Academy in Florida. Bryant is new on my radar, but I am somewhat familiar with McNeely. His profile is a lot like that of TJ Power but scaled down to more of a wing than combo forward. McNeely played very well at the EYBL, although I wonder if he will be offered with someone with a very similar skillset - big playmaking wing that is an elite shooter - already in the fold (assuming Power is a sophomore). Between Cunningham, Tucker, Harris, and possibly one of Bryant and Power, the coaching staff has made a lot of inroads with players on the wings. It's TBD is Bryant and McNeely will receive an offer.

Question 3: What does Duke need from the Class of 2024?

Clearly, the coaching staff has prioritized wings in the Class of 2024. With Blakes (SR), Schutt (JR), and McCain (SO) as potential guards on the roster and Power and maybe Stewart forming the nucleus of the roster, you can see a hole on the wings. A high-flying athlete that can score it from all three levels while serving as a secondary playmaker is the most obvious need. That's Naas Cunningham, in my mind. Tucker and, from the few videos I've seen, Bryant also fill that role to a degree.

The next biggest hole is up front. Stewart and Reeves present a couple of options, either together or individually. I am not one to think that Reeves will be a starter at any point in his time at Duke. The best-case scenario for him is to serve as a kind of Jordan Goldwire role, but from the Center position. There are very few examples of a 3-star recruit contributing at Duke, so I am hesitant to project him as such. That leads me to think that Brown is the primary target and that he and Stewart would be splitting minutes at the 5 if Stewart isn't gobbling up most of them, should he be a sophomore at Duke. The post is an area where Duke has cooled on recruits lately, like JP Estrella and Xavier Booker before him. It wouldn't surprise me if the staff identifies another post player over the next 3-9 months, even if things with James Brown progress. There's a need for a multi-year 4/5 like Javin DeLaurier, in my mind. Stewart is fairly close to that profile but with more upside - a long, athletic player that can defend multiple positions and can score a little around the basket. I think the team roster needs someone like DeLaurier or Lance Thomas that is willing to stay on the roster for 3-4 years. That's more of a want than a need, I suppose.

At the guard position, the team isn't lacking options, assuming no transfers and McCain staying at least 2 years. There are no true PGs offered yet, so that could be the next move. Like with Schutt and Reeves, a long-term PG that can take over from Jaylen Blakes as a sophomore would make a lot of sense. I assume that McCain will eventually slide over to the primary PG. That's going to be his best position in the NBA, should he make it. Being able to showcase in college would be ideal. He displayed some good flashes of playmaking this summer while carrying a significant scoring load for the FIBA U17 team and at Peach Jam. Perhaps Dylan Harper is that long-term PG option.

From today looking forward over the next year, I think the team is going to move in the following directions:

1. Clearly prioritize which wings they want (my guess is Cunningham and Harris)
2. Push for James Brown to commit or, if they think they need an additional post player, start scouting more recruits
3. Identify a couple of long-term options up front (the 4/5 type) and at the PG position

SkyBrickey
09-12-2022, 10:58 PM
I hope you’re right that we have McCain, Power, Schutt and Stewart all back in 2024-25. Those would be four experienced potential starters - something we haven’t had in some time.

scottdude8
09-13-2022, 12:13 PM
I hope you’re right that we have McCain, Power, Schutt and Stewart all back in 2024-25. Those would be four experienced potential starters - something we haven’t had in some time.

FWIW, early 2024 draft projections seem to be all over the place with our guys. I've seen some with Foster in the first round, and some with him nowhere... similarly with McCain. Stewart doesn't seem to be on many draft boards since he's a bit of a "tweener" for the NBA, so that's an interesting one to keep an eye on.

As I've said on the front page, while for our mental health we should always assume 5*s are OADs, there may be a higher likelihood than we're used to that we see some sophomore returnees in 2024. I think how Scheyer pursues the 2024 class will shed some light on that soon. Caleb Foster announced his commitment at around this time in the 2023 recruiting cycle, while Sean Stewart announced his in December of 2021. If the staff focuses the pursuit of its 2024 targets and aims to get a commitment before the New Year, that should shed some light on who they expect to not be around for the 2024 squad. However, if things continue to move more slowly in the Class of 2024 than has been the case for Scheyer's first two classes, it might be indicative of some uncertainty from the staff on who will still be on the roster in 2024.

As an aside, I personally think McCain could be an exception to recent draft decision patterns given that he's already a social media star. Until he's a surefire first round pick he'll arguably be able to make as much (maybe more?!?!) money in NIL at Duke, especially as the potential face of the program, than he would in the G-League or deep on an NBA bench. That's a ways away, but could be an interesting subplot to all this.

MyFirstK'sLast
09-13-2022, 11:31 PM
Carter Bryant, a 6'7 SF in the class of 2024, announced that he received an offer from Duke tonight via his Twitter page.

https://twitter.com/carterdbryant/status/1569862341122211841?s=20&t=MTHD0XA5rOCgxnz3tgYcUA

Carter is currently the 27th-ranked recruit on the 247 composite, but with the class entering its junior year there is still plenty of room to move up or down.

Worth noting that this is the 4th forward, 3rd ranked in the top 30, Coach Scheyer has offered in this class.

DavidBenAkiva
09-14-2022, 09:56 AM
Carter Bryant, a 6'7 SF in the class of 2024, announced that he received an offer from Duke tonight via his Twitter page.

https://twitter.com/carterdbryant/status/1569862341122211841?s=20&t=MTHD0XA5rOCgxnz3tgYcUA

Carter is currently the 27th-ranked recruit on the 247 composite, but with the class entering its junior year there is still plenty of room to move up or down.

Worth noting that this is the 4th forward, 3rd ranked in the top 30, Coach Scheyer has offered in this class.

Another wing. I don't know a ton about him but he looks like an ideal forward prospect for the modern game. He's 6'7-8" with long arms, seems to have a good-looking shot, can rebound and has athletic pop.

JasonEvans
09-14-2022, 11:48 AM
Worth noting that this is the 4th forward, 3rd ranked in the top 30, Coach Scheyer has offered in this class.

Would appear Scheyer does not expect Dariq Whitehead to stick around for his junior year.

DavidBenAkiva
09-14-2022, 11:51 AM
Would appear Scheyer does not expect Dariq Whitehead to stick around for his junior year.

I can get behind a model where Duke is keeping guards and frontcourt players for a couple years while cycling through OAD wings.

MyFirstK'sLast
09-14-2022, 12:13 PM
In more 2024 news, 247 has released its newest rankings for the class, which sheds some light on the newest offer.

Players with a Duke offer:

1. SG Tre Johnson (up 2)
3. SF Naas Cunningham (down 2)
5. CG Dylan Harper (up 32)
7. SF Carter Bryant (up 17)
18. SF Bryson Tucker (down 12)
27. C James Brown (up 5)
45. SF Darren Harris (up 15)

flyingdutchdevil
09-14-2022, 12:19 PM
In more 2024 news, 247 has released its newest rankings for the class, which sheds some light on the newest offer.

Players with a Duke offer:

1. SG Tre Johnson (up 2)
3. SF Naas Cunningham (down 2)
5. CG Dylan Harper (up 32)
7. SF Carter Bryant (up 17)
18. SF Bryson Tucker (down 12)
27. C James Brown (up 5)
45. SF Darren Harris (up 15)

That is a lot of wings. Maybe a whole line up of switchable, 3pt shooting, 6'5"+ and long wings?

Those asking for 5 Grant Hills may get their wish.

MChambers
09-14-2022, 12:29 PM
That is a lot of wings. Maybe a whole line up of switchable, 3pt shooting, 6'5"+ and long wings?

Those asking for 5 Grant Hills may get their wish.

That's what I was thinking.

Worth noting that Carter Bryant tweeted a photo of Grant as he announced that he'd gotten the offer from Coach Scheyer:

https://twitter.com/carterdbryant/status/1569862341122211841?s=20&t=qgRbzb26FZ-LCJfSHnGFRQ

A fan can dream, right?

DavidBenAkiva
09-15-2022, 12:48 PM
Duke might be in on a new big man in the Class of 2024. Andrew Slater reports the coaching staff will visit Montverde Academy's Asa Newell, a 6'10" F from Florida. He's a tall, lanky, forward that was recently named to the top 10 of his class by 247 Sports.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fctec84X0AIfZ5e?format=jpg&name=small

SkyBrickey
09-15-2022, 01:08 PM
I can get behind a model where Duke is keeping guards and frontcourt players for a couple years while cycling through OAD wings.

Glad to hear you voice this. I’ve always felt like experience at point guard (leadership, decision making) and center (Strength, physical development) were more important than experience at 2-4. That’s a big reason why I’m really excited about this season with a Jr pg.

DU82
09-15-2022, 01:23 PM
Duke might be in on a new big man in the Class of 2024. Andrew Slater reports the coaching staff will visit Montverde Academy's Asa Newell, a 6'10" F from Florida. He's a tall, lanky, forward that was recently named to the top 10 of his class by 247 Sports.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fctec84X0AIfZ5e?format=jpg&name=small

And how tall is he without the hair? (Yes, I'm follically jealous!)

scottdude8
09-15-2022, 01:37 PM
I can get behind a model where Duke is keeping guards and frontcourt players for a couple years while cycling through OAD wings.

It's a smart strategy too given the modern NBA game. Really, really good basketball players at the traditional 1 and 5 spots aren't coveted at the NBA level like they once were, meaning that NIL opportunities facilitated by the Duke brand could keep them in Durham. While we had 3 of the Top 5 guys in the 2022 class, I think that was more coincidence than anything (especially given Kyle's meteoric rise). In the 2023 class, you can see that Jon targeted specific types of guys rather than instinctually leaping at the No. 1 player in the country. Outside of Mgbako, who projects as a lottery-caliber talent, we have a ton of interchangeable, versatile pieces who have the potential to blow up into OAD guys, but also could be multi-year guys. It seems like he's being similarly focused in 2024 so far.

It's incredible how great of a job he's done before coaching his first game as head coach. If his skills on the recruiting trail translate even a fraction to skills in-game, we're going to be quite happy.

CrazyNotCrazie
09-15-2022, 01:38 PM
Duke might be in on a new big man in the Class of 2024. Andrew Slater reports the coaching staff will visit Montverde Academy's Asa Newell, a 6'10" F from Florida. He's a tall, lanky, forward that was recently named to the top 10 of his class by 247 Sports.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fctec84X0AIfZ5e?format=jpg&name=small

Big guy named Newell but I assume no relation to Pete?

DukieTiger
09-15-2022, 02:04 PM
Glad to hear you voice this. I’ve always felt like experience at point guard (leadership, decision making) and center (Strength, physical development) were more important than experience at 2-4. That’s a big reason why I’m really excited about this season with a Jr pg.

Those are also the two positions with the lowest correlation between college performance and NBA stock, I’d think.

Big men is an easy example, the NPOY is a big with minimal draft stock who returned to college.

It might be less common for point guards but you have guys who are really strong college players who don’t have the size or shooting profile to really pop onto the NBA radar - or take a little while to do so.

Incidentally, UNC and Kentucky both have players in each of the above categories this coming year. If Duke could approximate that while maintaining the quality of wing recruiting its had in recent years… look out!

jaywilliams22
09-15-2022, 03:01 PM
Duke might be in on a new big man in the Class of 2024. Andrew Slater reports the coaching staff will visit Montverde Academy's Asa Newell, a 6'10" F from Florida. He's a tall, lanky, forward that was recently named to the top 10 of his class by 247 Sports.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fctec84X0AIfZ5e?format=jpg&name=small

We've had a good run with Montverde players recently with Barrett and now Dariq. I somewhat include Kyrie as well (given Boyle was his coach in NJ).

MartyClark
09-15-2022, 03:01 PM
And how tall is he without the hair? (Yes, I'm follically jealous!)

Yeah, great hair. I'm jealous

DavidBenAkiva
09-21-2022, 12:28 PM
In more 2024 news, 247 has released its newest rankings for the class, which sheds some light on the newest offer.

Players with a Duke offer:

1. SG Tre Johnson (up 2)
3. SF Naas Cunningham (down 2)
5. CG Dylan Harper (up 32)
7. SF Carter Bryant (up 17)
18. SF Bryson Tucker (down 12)
27. C James Brown (up 5)
45. SF Darren Harris (up 15)

Rivals has updated their Class of 2024 rankings today.

https://rivals.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2024

1. SG Tre Johnson (up 2)
4. SF Naas Cunningham (down 2)
6. PF Asa Newell (up 13)
7. SF Bryson Tucker (down 3)
8. SF Carter Bryant (up 18)
10. SG Dylan Harper (up 7)
29. C James Brown (up 2)
72 SF Darren Harris (up 29)

JasonEvans
09-21-2022, 12:41 PM
Rivals has updated their Class of 2024 rankings today.

https://rivals.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2024

1. SG Tre Johnson (up 2)
4. SF Naas Cunningham (down 2)
6. PF Asa Newell (up 13)
7. SF Bryson Tucker (down 3)
8. SF Carter Bryant (up 18)
10. SG Dylan Harper (up 7)
29. C James Brown (up 2)
72 SF Darren Harris (up 29)

If the NBA rule changes, I would expect the first 6 names on this list to all enter the draft.

DavidBenAkiva
09-21-2022, 03:26 PM
If the NBA rule changes, I would expect the first 6 names on this list to all enter the draft.

There was a Woj grenade earlier this week where he poured a little cold water on the idea that changes to the OAD rule would take effect right away. It makes a lot of sense to delay it. Teams already have trades in place for 1st and 2nd round picks in 2024 and beyond. The value of those trades will change if they lower the age limit and college requirement. Teams are going to balk because they made the trades with a certain assumption about the value of the draft pick. I think it's not very likely the Class of 2024 will be the first preps-to-pros. It gets more likely that each successive class will be allowed to go pro after 2024. If the NBA wants to do it such that the change will not affect any future pick, it will go into effect in 2030. There are trades going all the way out to 2029 currently (https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed).

scottdude8
09-21-2022, 04:35 PM
There was a Woj grenade earlier this week where he poured a little cold water on the idea that changes to the OAD rule would take effect right away. It makes a lot of sense to delay it. Teams already have trades in place for 1st and 2nd round picks in 2024 and beyond. The value of those trades will change if they lower the age limit and college requirement. Teams are going to balk because they made the trades with a certain assumption about the value of the draft pick. I think it's not very likely the Class of 2024 will be the first preps-to-pros. It gets more likely that each successive class will be allowed to go pro after 2024. If the NBA wants to do it such that the change will not affect any future pick, it will go into effect in 2030. There are trades going all the way out to 2029 currently (https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed).

Interesting. I feel like if that's the plan, there's never going to be a "good" time to implement it, though... unless they announce the change 10 years in advance, which makes very little sense.

Put another way, if the next LeBron shows up in 2026, is the NBA going to bend over backwards to somehow compensate teams who don't get a shot at him because they traded their pick 5 years earlier? Of course not... that's part of the value calculation GMs have to make when mortgaging their future for the present. So I'm not sure it makes that much sense to act similarly for a "double draft". Teams that went all in on the present will feel the repercussions, which they arguably should.

Not saying Adam Silver is/should be thinking this way, but it's an interesting and challenging thought experiment trying to either A) Keep everyone happy or B) Make the argument why those who aren't happy are so because of self-inflicted wounds.

AGDukesky
09-21-2022, 04:44 PM
^plus more than a year or two out you really have no idea where it will land. I just don’t see traded picks being an issue more than a year out.

DavidBenAkiva
09-22-2022, 08:56 AM
One of the first players in the Class of 2024 to receive an offer was Paul VI wing Darren Harris from Fairfax, VA. Considered one of the top shooters in his class, Harris received an in-home visit from Coach Scheyer and staff earlier this week. Harris will be making a trip to Duke the weekend of October 14-16 (the week before Countdown to Craziness). Harris is also being heavily recruited by Pitt and Maryland.

superdave
09-22-2022, 09:14 AM
^plus more than a year or two out you really have no idea where it will land. I just don’t see traded picks being an issue more than a year out.

I am personally hoarding my draft capital for the next Kevin Durant, Emoni Bates!!!!! He's projected to be #1 in the 2022 draft!

https://www.si.com/high-school/2019/10/29/emoni-bates-nba-draft-prospect-kevin-durant

arnie
09-23-2022, 07:03 AM
Front page has a headline and article re: Robert Brown. But then embeds a Cheat post regarding 2024 big man James Brown. Hope we’re actually recruiting James Brown with the better moves.

AtlBluRew
09-23-2022, 10:27 AM
Front page has a headline and article re: Robert Brown. But then embeds a Cheat post regarding 2024 big man James Brown. Hope we’re actually recruiting James Brown with the better moves.

I can’t believe it’s not corrected. That’s the kind of thing Cheat coaches should show JAMES Brown.

AZLA
09-23-2022, 08:14 PM
I can’t believe it’s not corrected. That’s the kind of thing Cheat coaches should show JAMES Brown.

It’s HOT! In the HOTUB — good gawd y’all!

-jk
09-23-2022, 09:53 PM
If y'all can just PM me or email Julian at heydbr@gmail.com when you see a typo, that'd help.

-jk

AtlBluRew
09-24-2022, 12:15 PM
It’s HOT! In the HOTUB — good gawd y’all!

Lol, thanks for that memory

DavidBenAkiva
10-04-2022, 01:00 PM
One of the top players in the Class of 2024, Cam Scott of Lexington, SC, will visit Duke on November 30th to see the Blue Devils host the Buckeyes of Ohio State. Jamie Shaw of On3 reports that the sweet-shooting 6'5" guard/wing will make an official visit to Duke at end of November.

https://www.on3.com/news/cam-scott-sets-visit-with-duke/

UrinalCake
10-04-2022, 01:13 PM
Jon seems to like those sweet-shooting, taller guards. I wonder why?

flyingdutchdevil
10-04-2022, 01:28 PM
Jon seems to like those sweet-shooting, taller guards. I wonder why?

I would have thought he loved the lanky shooters with abnormally long necks…

gam7
10-04-2022, 02:10 PM
I would have thought he loved the lanky shooters with abnormally long necks…

Like this one?

15018

JasonEvans
10-04-2022, 04:11 PM
4-star combo guard Darren Harris is down to 4 schools (https://www.on3.com/news/4-star-darren-harris-down-to-4-schools/): Duke, tOSU, Miami, and Maryland. He will visit Duke later this mont


Duke: “Duke is obviously a historic program, and has a great culture. Coach (Jon) Scheyer has been recruiting me since after my freshman year. They’ve been in our gym for workouts just as much as anybody, which means a lot. I have an official on the 14th.”

He attends Paul VI, which has given Duke a couple very nice guards in recent years.

DavidBenAkiva
10-04-2022, 04:15 PM
One of the first players in the Class of 2024 to receive an offer from Duke was Paul VI wing Darren Harris. He might be the best shooting prospect in the class (I see this written about players being recruited by Duke lately...). Harris is down to Duke, Maryland, Miami, and Ohio State. Joe Tipton of On3 did a brief interview with Harris about his finalists. Harris has one official visit scheduled so far, with Duke on October 14th.

Harris had this to say about Duke:


Duke is obviously a historic program, and has a great culture. Coach (Jon) Scheyer has been recruiting me since after my freshman year. They’ve been in our gym for workouts just as much as anybody, which means a lot. I have an official on the 14th.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FeQCFRiWAAMo_Po?format=jpg&name=900x900

JasonEvans
10-04-2022, 08:46 PM
https://i.imgflip.com/6vrmat.jpg

UrinalCake
10-13-2022, 03:29 PM
Trentyn Flowers, a 6'8" sophomore who's been compared to Brendan Ingram, is a 5 Star and ranked #8 in his class. He has the usual list of college destinations but, according to an article this morning, says that Duke is his "dream school."

Flowers cut his list to 13 today and Duke is not on it. This is a bit of a surprise as I thought I had read recently that we were in "good shape" and that Jon had been out to visit him recently.


link (https://twitter.com/TiptonEdits/status/1580634686959017984?s=20&t=IcLoRJxu4AhEu4fA5wqXhw)


ETA: it's entirely possible that I had Flowers and Harris mixed up in my head

9dukejames
10-14-2022, 07:20 AM
Flowers cut his list to 13 today and Duke is not on it. This is a bit of a surprise as I thought I had read recently that we were in "good shape" and that Jon had been out to visit him recently.


link (https://twitter.com/TiptonEdits/status/1580634686959017984?s=20&t=IcLoRJxu4AhEu4fA5wqXhw)


ETA: it's entirely possible that I had Flowers and Harris mixed up in my head

You are not wrong, and I am a bit surprised also, but it is still early in this cycle. With Duke involved with several similar type of players some were going to shake out for whatever reason.

AlaskanAssassin
10-14-2022, 09:54 AM
Is Duke not on the list because it hasn’t offered?

This article seems to believe that Duke could become “wild card” team added to his list in the future.

https://www.si.com/college/duke/.amp/recruiting/duke-basketball-wild-card-five-star-recruit

DavidBenAkiva
10-14-2022, 11:15 AM
Is Duke not on the list because it hasn’t offered?

This article seems to believe that Duke could become “wild card” team added to his list in the future.

https://www.si.com/college/duke/.amp/recruiting/duke-basketball-wild-card-five-star-recruit

Duke has offered Tre Johnson. https://twitter.com/iamtrejohnson1/status/1537127212717064194

It's possible that Duke or Johnson has cooled since then as other priorities have emerged.

EDIT: Whoops! Wrong prospect.

gumbomoop
10-14-2022, 11:25 AM
Duke has offered Tre Johnson. https://twitter.com/iamtrejohnson1/status/1537127212717064194

It's possible that Duke or Johnson has cooled since then as other priorities have emerged.

Friendly correction, unless I’m totally confused.

Posts 194-196 ^ refer to Trentyn Flowers, not Tre Johnson.

DavidBenAkiva
10-14-2022, 11:26 AM
Friendly correction, unless I’m totally confused.

Posts 194-196 ^ refer to Trentyn Flowers, not Tre Johnson.

Totally missed that. Sorry!

DavidBenAkiva
10-16-2022, 12:03 PM
For those wondering what Darren Harris looks like in a Duke jersey, here you go:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FfI0X_hWYAM_1QW?format=jpg&name=large

He posted this and other pics from his official visit over the weekend.

johnb
10-16-2022, 03:52 PM
Is Duke not on the list because it hasn’t offered?

This article seems to believe that Duke could become “wild card” team added to his list in the future.

https://www.si.com/college/duke/.amp/recruiting/duke-basketball-wild-card-five-star-recruit

Here’s the actual Twitter reference:

“2024 five-star Trentyn Flowers has trimmed his list of 40+ offers down to 13, he tells @On3Recruits.”

Since this is an editing from his 40 offers, I’d agree that he wouldn’t have listed any school that hadn’t offered.

Does that mean we haven’t offered, will never offer, and that he wouldn’t listen if JS & Crew asked for a chat?

From the recent Duke recruiting results, I’d guess that we’re making the final 5 of virtually every 5 star who the staff has assessed as a good fit academically and personally. They need to recruit for need to some extent, but I doubt the staff worries too much about recruiting two super-elite players who play the same position—our coaches have excellent verbal skills, and they can spin a reasonable (and true) narrative in which any two players can be on the court at the same time if they’re good enough. I’d guess that the only real exception might be two 6’ pass-first point guards who are both top five players and intend to be OAD. Maybe 2 old-school centers, but those guys don’t seem to get 5 stars any more.

Anyway, we’re not going to get all of these identified elite players, only partly because we can’t have a 10-person freshman class. Geography, a better connection with another staff, a preference for an on-campus experience that isn’t so Duke-ish, a desire to be the clear go-to player, a transient psychosis, etc.

But until things change with our results or the OAD rules, I’m guessing the Duke staff sweats more about talent assessment and overall team chemistry than about how they might get an individual player to ultimately pull the trigger on a commitment (sounds like the Duke coaches have got their pitch down quite well, probably because they can confidently speak truth while many of their national coaching peers are in perpetual sales mode. At least for the moment, it’s good to be king).

jaywilliams22
10-17-2022, 11:23 AM
Looks like Darren Harris will be making his college choice on Saturday. He visited Duke over the weekend. I'd guess we have a strong chance here - same school as Roach/Keels.

https://twitter.com/TravisBranham_/status/1582027820070412288?s=20&t=_ytI1N9cM4F7mecO2lhxVw

DavidBenAkiva
10-17-2022, 11:38 AM
Looks like Darren Harris will be making his college choice on Saturday. He visited Duke over the weekend. I'd guess we have a strong chance here - same school as Roach/Keels.

https://twitter.com/TravisBranham_/status/1582027820070412288?s=20&t=_ytI1N9cM4F7mecO2lhxVw

It seems that Darren heard what he felt he needed to hear over the weekend. Adding a player that some consider the best shooter in his class would certainly be a good start to the Class of 2024.

JasonEvans
10-17-2022, 12:38 PM
Any time a kid visits and then immediately announces he will be making his college choice, you have to feel good about your chances.

3 picks on the 247 crystal ball... all of them for Duke (including one guy who is a Maryland insider).

Indoor66
10-17-2022, 01:31 PM
So we have worry about the 2021 NBA lockout and CBA wrt draft age/eligibility?

Or do you mean 2031?

Kedsy
10-17-2022, 02:16 PM
Or do you mean 2031?

Kudos for bringing back a post from 2011 by one of my favorite posters (who we haven't heard from in way too long).

SkyBrickey
10-17-2022, 03:54 PM
Harris would be a great first pickup for the class. 6-6 SF sharpshooter. 45 ranking so very likely a multi year guy. With Schutt and Power and Harris, there definitely seems to be a new recruiting trend to get multi year guys who can fill it up from 3. I’m a fan.

DavidBenAkiva
10-17-2022, 05:07 PM
Harris would be a great first pickup for the class. 6-6 SF sharpshooter. 45 ranking so very likely a multi year guy. With Schutt and Power and Harris, there definitely seems to be a new recruiting trend to get multi year guys who can fill it up from 3. I’m a fan.

Many of the long-time fans that lamented the days of only going after one-and-dones should pay attention to the recruiting approach under Scheyer. We'll see if he can hit the sweet spot between the studs (Lively, Whitehead, Mgbako, et al.) and some of the multi-year guys like Schutt, Reeves, Power, and Harris. The bugaboo is keeping everyone happy. So far, so good.

SkyBrickey
10-17-2022, 06:24 PM
I think there is a needle to thread. If he can sign a couple of these strong multi year guys early every year, then 1-2 OADs will naturally fill out the class and we are headed into the season with 3-4 experienced starters. The transfer portal provides a safety net if there’s an unexpected transfer or we miss on a key target.

If Coach is moving to this strategy, I think we will see it play out with this 2024 class. And with Power, Schutt, Blakes, Reeves and maybe others in the stable, I don’t think it has to be a big down year for us to make the transition away from all-in on OADs.

Edit: this is pure speculation but how do you get Schutt and Power to sign on, and maybe Harris, when in the recent past we’d have recruited over them every year? You commit to them that the recruiting approach is changing with the 2024 class.

MarkD83
10-17-2022, 06:58 PM
I think there is a needle to thread. If he can sign a couple of these strong multi year guys early every year, then 1-2 OADs will naturally fill out the class and we are headed into the season with 3-4 experienced starters. The transfer portal provides a safety net if there’s an unexpected transfer or we miss on a key target.

If Coach is moving to this strategy, I think we will see it play out with this 2024 class. And with Power, Schutt, Blakes, Reeves and maybe others in the stable, I don’t think it has to be a big down year for us to make the transition away from all-in on OADs.

Edit: this is pure speculation but how do you get Schutt and Power to sign on, and maybe Harris, when in the recent past we’d have recruited over them every year? You commit to them that the recruiting approach is changing with the 2024 class.

You also tell him that that previous coach did not know what he was doing and a regime change is good for the new recruits :)

DavidBenAkiva
10-21-2022, 11:30 AM
Jamie Shaw of On3 has a breakdown of Darren Harris ahead of the scheduled commitment (Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Eastern). He is known as a deadly shooter and at 6'5" will primarily be a wing in college. On3 gives Duke a strong chance to land the Paul VI high school junior. That, plus all the Crystal Balls from 247 following his official visit last weekend, gives the impression that he has informed the coaching staff that he will become the first commit of the Class of 2024.

So what is Duke getting in Harris (unless something shocking happens...)? Shooting and plenty of it. Harris is not an elite athlete. The On3 scouting report matches with the few highlight clips I could find of the young man. He isn't going to wow you with his speed in transition or handles. He does seem to have a high basketball IQ and finds the hit-ahead pass in transition and uses quick ball fakes and jab steps to create space or open looks for his teammates. Other elements of Harris's game, such as team defense and improving his handle, may come in time. Harris projects as a multi-year player in college. Along with Jaden Schutt and TJ Power, Harris should form a group of high-level shooters on the wings for Duke. Jared McCain and Caleb Foster are also known as accurate shooters, for what it is worth. If all of Foster, McCain, Schutt, Harris, and Power are on the roster in 2024-25, then Duke might be able to field one of the best shooting teams in the nation.

https://www.on3.com/news/darren-harris-four-star-shooting-guard-breakdown-duke-maryland-miami-ohio-state/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZYTvnOiEmA

DavidBenAkiva
10-26-2022, 12:03 PM
Jamie Shaw of On3 provided an update on Naas Cunningham, one of the top wings in the Class of 2024. Cunningham recently joined the OTE program but has maintained his college eligibility. He says Duke, along with Arkansas, Kansas, and Texas, stick out the most so far. Cunningham, a New Jersey native, says he models his game after Jayson Tatum. Of the four team mentioned, it seems that the Duke coaching staff has been in contact for the longest period of time while the others are in more formative stages of relationship development.

https://www.on3.com/news/naas-cunningham-makes-ote-debut-say-four-schools-sticking-out-duke-arkansas-kansas-texas/

DavidBenAkiva
11-03-2022, 09:09 PM
Tyler Betsey, a 6'8" F from Connecticut/NY Rens AAU program, announced on twitter that he was blessed to receive an offer from Duke University (https://twitter.com/search?q=tyler%20betsey&src=typed_query)! Betsey is ranked 84th in the Class of 2024 by 247Sports. I bet you can guess a few things about him already. Yes, he is considered a good shooter. Yes, he is someone that might be a late bloomer/high riser. I also think that there is a need for another multi-year player in the frontcourt, someone that can slot in between Jaden Schutt and Darren Harris on the wings and Christian Reeves up front. Betsey might be that guy.

Here's a compilation video of highlights from his sophomore year at Windsor High School.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBb8X8GxrYk

JasonEvans
11-03-2022, 10:19 PM
Tyler Betsey, a 6'8" F from Connecticut/NY Rens AAU program, announced on twitter that he was blessed to receive an offer from Duke University (https://twitter.com/search?q=tyler%20betsey&src=typed_query)! Betsey is ranked 84th in the Class of 2024 by 247Sports. I bet you can guess a few things about him already. Yes, he is considered a good shooter. Yes, he is someone that might be a late bloomer/high riser. I also think that there is a need for another multi-year player in the frontcourt, someone that can slot in between Jaden Schutt and Darren Harris on the wings and Christian Reeves up front. Betsey might be that guy.

Here's a compilation video of highlights from his sophomore year at Windsor High School.

Someone has to do it...

Heavens to Betsey, that kid can shoot!

scottdude8
12-01-2022, 12:00 PM
It was 5* Isaiah Evans, currently a Top 20 recruit in his class. Doesn't have a Duke offer yet, but certainly seemed to have a ball.

https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2022/12/1/23483561/duke-basketball-recruiting-isaiah-evans-ohio-state-acc-big-ten-challenge-brandon-ingram

Tappan Zee Devil
12-01-2022, 10:02 PM
You must spread some Comments around before commenting on scottdude8 again.


For those wondering about the recruit in the stands yesterday...
It was 5* Isaiah Evans, currently a Top 20 recruit in his class. Doesn't have a Duke offer yet, but certainly seemed to have a ball.

https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2022/12/1/23483561/duke-basketball-recruiting-isaiah-evans-ohio-state-acc-big-ten-challenge-brandon-ingram

Thanks - As a matter of fact, I was wondering

tommy
12-29-2022, 02:43 AM
UNC received a major commitment from 6’1” PG Elliot Cadeau out of NJ. Known as a pass-first guy. Five-star. UNC beat out some high profile programs for him, including Kansas. Kid leaving his options open to reclass to 23 as well.

CrazyNotCrazie
12-29-2022, 03:46 PM
UNC received a major commitment from 6’1” PG Elliot Cadeau out of NJ. Known as a pass-first guy. Five-star. UNC beat out some high profile programs for him, including Kansas. Kid leaving his options open to reclass to 23 as well.

Sounds like a good pickup for them. He is from the same town in northern NJ as Kyrie (which is a short drive from the CNC birthplace museum...). He is currently playing at Link Academy in Branson, MO. His dad is Haitian (his last name means "gift" in French) and his mom is Swedish so he is involved in the Swedish national team. He also seems to have a pretty solid NIL game with his own web site and he ran a skills camp in NJ on Monday.

https://www.elliotcadeau.com/

JasonEvans
01-03-2023, 10:30 AM
Four star big man James Brown (Duke kicked the tires on him a bit, leading to several amusing jokes about his name earlier in this thread) has committed to the wrong shade of Blue and will be joining what is shaping up as Hubert's best recruiting class.

PG - Elliot Cadeau, 247's #10 recruit
C- James Brown, 247's #27 recruit
SF - Drake Powell, 247's #50 recruit

The Heels are also very much in it for 247's #13 player, PF Jarin Stevenson. Considering Hubert has so far only gotten 2 recruits out of the 2023 class and his 2022 recruits are not playing all that much for this very experienced Carolina team, he likely needed to make a splash in 2024.

scottdude8
01-03-2023, 11:11 AM
Four star big man James Brown (Duke kicked the tires on him a bit, leading to several amusing jokes about his name earlier in this thread) has committed to the wrong shade of Blue and will be joining what is shaping up as Hubert's best recruiting class.

PG - Elliot Cadeau, 247's #10 recruit
C- James Brown, 247's #27 recruit
SF - Drake Powell, 247's #50 recruit

The Heels are also very much in it for 247's #13 player, PF Jarin Stevenson. Considering Hubert has so far only gotten 2 recruits out of the 2023 class and his 2022 recruits are not playing all that much for this very experienced Carolina team, he likely needed to make a splash in 2024.

Assuming UNC boosters don't break the bank with even more crazy NIL deals, one would have to think the Tar Heels are going to be facing major attrition after this year. With that in mind, the makeup of their 2023-24 squad will be very interesting, since you have to squint very hard to see anyone who might be an immediate producer currently on the roster (outside the starting five... maybe RJ Davis, given his diminutive stature, is the only one with a >50% chance of returning?). So, will Davis hit the portal hard to get a more competitive squad and risk forcing out his current young talent (or, if he gets a recruit with more eligibility, put his 2024 class in jeopardy)? Or will he go into 2023 as a building year and hope he develops key pieces to compliment a more Carolina-like 2024 class? If it's the latter, how much patience will the fans have?

I think next year is going to be key to get an idea of Davis' long-term philosophy and, in turn, his long-term viability in Chapel Hill.

Hartford Dukie
01-03-2023, 11:23 AM
Assuming UNC boosters don't break the bank with even more crazy NIL deals, one would have to think the Tar Heels are going to be facing major attrition after this year. With that in mind, the makeup of their 2023-24 squad will be very interesting, since you have to squint very hard to see anyone who might be an immediate producer currently on the roster (outside the starting five... maybe RJ Davis, given his diminutive stature, is the only one with a >50% chance of returning?). So, will Davis hit the portal hard to get a more competitive squad and risk forcing out his current young talent (or, if he gets a recruit with more eligibility, put his 2024 class in jeopardy)? Or will he go into 2023 as a building year and hope he develops key pieces to compliment a more Carolina-like 2024 class? If it's the latter, how much patience will the fans have?

I think next year is going to be key to get an idea of Davis' long-term philosophy and, in turn, his long-term viability in Chapel Hill.

There is specualtion that Cadeau could reclassify. He turned 18 in September.

DavidBenAkiva
01-03-2023, 11:43 AM
Four star big man James Brown (Duke kicked the tires on him a bit, leading to several amusing jokes about his name earlier in this thread) has committed to the wrong shade of Blue and will be joining what is shaping up as Hubert's best recruiting class.

PG - Elliot Cadeau, 247's #10 recruit
C- James Brown, 247's #27 recruit
SF - Drake Powell, 247's #50 recruit

The Heels are also very much in it for 247's #13 player, PF Jarin Stevenson. Considering Hubert has so far only gotten 2 recruits out of the 2023 class and his 2022 recruits are not playing all that much for this very experienced Carolina team, he likely needed to make a splash in 2024.

Just doing a bit of roster calculation, and UNC is starting to fill up for 2024-25. It's hard to predict rosters one season to the next, let alone two years out. That being said, the following players could be on the roster for UNC in 24-25:

PG: FR Elliott Cadeau, SR D'Marco Dunn
SG: SO Simeon Wilcher, JR Seth Trimble
SF: JR Tyler Nickel, SR Dontrez Styles, FR Drake Powell
PF: SR Puff Johnson, RS-SR Will Shaver, SO Zayden High
C: JR Jalen Washington, FR James Brown

That's 12 scholarships, so they could technically fit Stevenson. On the other hand, the frontcourt is going to be relatively crowded if Puff Johnson sticks around.

Most of these players are ranked in the top 100 of their respective recruiting classes. Wilcher is the highest rated of the bunch and might not want to stick around in college more than a year. Then again, UNC has a history of holding onto these borderline OAD players. The approach by Davis, as far as I can tell, appears to be to get as many of the 4- and 5-star guys as possible and see if they can hold onto them. It's an interesting strategy with the head coach playing 5 guys 30+ minutes per game for the second year in a row. He doesn't seem to trust his bench. Perhaps he will expand his lineups when the current group of starters leaves after this season.

FWIW, Duke might have a relatively (by recent Duke standards, at least) experienced roster during the 2024-25 season.

PG: SO McCain, SR Blakes
SG: SO Foster, JR Schutt
SF: SO Power, FR Harris
PF: SO Stewart
C: JR Reeves

This comes with the usual caveat of not knowing which players might stay or transfer. I'm assuming a few more players will be added, either through recruiting and/or the transfer portal. The team needs more frontcourt depth with few players appearing on the recruiting radar. The staff either feels good that Power/Stewart/Reeves can handle the frontcourt minutes or has an idea of the kind of player they will want to target in the portal. Personally, I think they need a 4/5 type like Javin DeLaurier or Lance Thomas that can help bolster the frontcourt depth in 2024-25 and beyond (backup to Cameron Boozer?).

sagegrouse
01-03-2023, 11:45 AM
There is speculation that Cadeau could reclassify. He turned 18 in September.

That would be a gift for UNC, n'est-ce pas?

gumbomoop
01-03-2023, 11:53 AM
PG: SO McCain, SR Blakes
SG: SO Foster, JR Schutt
SF: SO Power, FR Harris
PF: SO Stewart
C: JR Reeves

I have always seen Foster listed as PG and McCain as either SG or CG. Has there been a change in the presumed positions for these 2? Also, I sure hope Stewart, rated top-10, stays around for his soph year. Not to mention both Foster and McCain.

DavidBenAkiva
01-03-2023, 12:10 PM
I have always seen Foster listed as PG and McCain as either SG or CG. Has there been a change in the presumed positions for these 2? Also, I sure hope Stewart, rated top-10, stays around for his soph year. Not to mention both Foster and McCain.

That is all speculation on my part. McCain has been playing a lot more on-ball this year for Centennial High School. He's not a pass-first PG, but he can play the position and probably understands that his best path to being an NBA player is by becoming a PG. Foster has been a more of a PG throughout his high school career but can play on or off the ball. It might have been better for me to just list them as guards rather than shoehorn them into a specific position.

gumbomoop
01-03-2023, 12:31 PM
That is all speculation on my part. McCain has been playing a lot more on-ball this year for Centennial High School. He's not a pass-first PG, but he can play the position and probably understands that his best path to being an NBA player is by becoming a PG. Foster has been a more of a PG throughout his high school career but can play on or off the ball. It might have been better for me to just list them as guards rather than shoehorn them into a specific position.

Thanks for clarifying. I just hope all of Stewart, Foster, McCain, and Schutt are on the roster for 2024-25.

JasonEvans
01-03-2023, 01:29 PM
Love the conversation and the opinions, but as we are experiencing right now, it is really hard to say who is going to stick around and who is going to have a meaningful role until the players have played at least a few games.

Prior to the start of this season, there were a lot of reports that Flip might play a lesser role and was open to coming back for his soph season. Then he played like one of the best players in the country for the first month of the season, vaulting into lottery conversation and seeming like a certain OAD player. Lately, Flip has come back down to Earth... who knows what he may be thinking now.

Derek Lively was a no-brainer OAD player but got hurt and now, even though he is fully healthy, his draft stock is slipping and it is not entirely impossible to imagine him returning to Duke (Mark Williams could be a decent comp here).

Heck, anyone who tells you even know that they have a really good sense of what Mitchell and Proctor are going to do is probably lying (though I think both will likely go into the draft if it makes even a little bit of sense).

Caleb Foster, Jared McCain, Sean Stewart, and TJ Power could make any number of decisions (Mac and Whitehead are turning pro, mark it down).

scottdude8
01-03-2023, 02:42 PM
Love the conversation and the opinions, but as we are experiencing right now, it is really hard to say who is going to stick around and who is going to have a meaningful role until the players have played at least a few games.

Prior to the start of this season, there were a lot of reports that Flip might play a lesser role and was open to coming back for his soph season. Then he played like one of the best players in the country for the first month of the season, vaulting into lottery conversation and seeming like a certain OAD player. Lately, Flip has come back down to Earth... who knows what he may be thinking now.

Derek Lively was a no-brainer OAD player but got hurt and now, even though he is fully healthy, his draft stock is slipping and it is not entirely impossible to imagine him returning to Duke (Mark Williams could be a decent comp here).

Heck, anyone who tells you even know that they have a really good sense of what Mitchell and Proctor are going to do is probably lying (though I think both will likely go into the draft if it makes even a little bit of sense).

Caleb Foster, Jared McCain, Sean Stewart, and TJ Power could make any number of decisions (Mac and Whitehead are turning pro, mark it down).

It’s going to be fascinating to see how NIL and the changing pro game changes the decisions for big men. Recent history shows that you need to be a unicorn to get into the lottery as a traditional center, and someone ultra athletic and long (ie Mark and Jalen Duren) to be a sure fire first round pick. If Lively’s stock falls to the end of the first round or early second (still a long shot, but much more likely than any of us anticipated) he could conceivably make more in NIL at Duke than in his first year as a pro. Could we be headed towards an era where big men stick around in college while guards and elite shooters go pro early? If so, that could change the game as it pertains to roster construction.

pcal6vb
01-03-2023, 03:20 PM
. Could we be headed towards an era where big men stick around in college while guards and elite shooters go pro early? If so, that could change the game as it pertains to roster construction.

I think in some ways, that's been part of unc's "hack" of the system of late, where they've had success with players returning for multiple years. Their recent teams have typically had one, if not a couple, strong junior/senior big men that are talented enough to excel in college but lack the versatility to be a high NBA lottery pick. Over the last 6-7 years: Bacot, Garrison Brooks, Luke Maye, Kennedy Meeks, Brice Johnson. All threading the needle between being solid to very good college players but not fantastic pro prospects. Whereas most teams that recruit highly ranked players are targeting NBA talent (e.g. "stretch" 4s and 5s, or rim-running shotblockers a la Mark Williams), unc has zigged where others zagged.

Whether this was an intentional strategy or a happy (for them) accident is a different question. I'm also ignoring the guards and wings (Love, Davis, Black, Pinson, Berry, etc.) who also stay for 3-4 years, but I think the string of successful multi-year big men is what most differentiates them from other programs in recent seasons.

flyingdutchdevil
01-03-2023, 03:23 PM
Love the conversation and the opinions, but as we are experiencing right now, it is really hard to say who is going to stick around and who is going to have a meaningful role until the players have played at least a few games.

Prior to the start of this season, there were a lot of reports that Flip might play a lesser role and was open to coming back for his soph season. Then he played like one of the best players in the country for the first month of the season, vaulting into lottery conversation and seeming like a certain OAD player. Lately, Flip has come back down to Earth... who knows what he may be thinking now.

Derek Lively was a no-brainer OAD player but got hurt and now, even though he is fully healthy, his draft stock is slipping and it is not entirely impossible to imagine him returning to Duke (Mark Williams could be a decent comp here).

Heck, anyone who tells you even know that they have a really good sense of what Mitchell and Proctor are going to do is probably lying (though I think both will likely go into the draft if it makes even a little bit of sense).

Caleb Foster, Jared McCain, Sean Stewart, and TJ Power could make any number of decisions (Mac and Whitehead are turning pro, mark it down).

The question is not whether they'll go pro but whether they'll stay at Duke. In today's landscape, transfer is basically the same as going pro.

I agree this year we are seeing more "down to earth" players than before, and that may impact their decision to go pro (or not go pro). So let's play scenarios!

Going pro:
-Wing: Whitehead

Stock took a hit but may go pro (come on, it's Duke):
-Big: Lively (no offensive game)
-Guard: Proctor (can't shoot)
-Guard: Roach (didn't improve much; not a first rounder to begin with)

Better than expected but may go pro (come on, it's Duke):
-Big: Flip (but supposedly said he's coming back ~4-5 months ago)
-Big/Wing: Mitchell (3pt ace :); kinda raw)

Not going pro:
-Guard: Blakes
-Big: Young
-Big: Reeves
-Guard: Schutt

Incoming:
-Wing: Mackenzie
-Big: Sean Stewart
-Guard: Caleb Foster
-Guard: Jared McCain
-Big/Wing: TJ Power

Sooooo...

By my count, that's:
-6 guards
-1 wing
-2 big/wings
-5 bigs
-Total of 14 players deserving of minutes

My gut tells me that 10-11 max will be on the team next year (and I'd argue only 8-10).

No including Whitehead, we're either losing 3-4 players to the draft, to transfers, or to decommitments.

DavidBenAkiva
01-04-2023, 09:18 AM
I think in some ways, that's been part of unc's "hack" of the system of late, where they've had success with players returning for multiple years. Their recent teams have typically had one, if not a couple, strong junior/senior big men that are talented enough to excel in college but lack the versatility to be a high NBA lottery pick. Over the last 6-7 years: Bacot, Garrison Brooks, Luke Maye, Kennedy Meeks, Brice Johnson. All threading the needle between being solid to very good college players but not fantastic pro prospects. Whereas most teams that recruit highly ranked players are targeting NBA talent (e.g. "stretch" 4s and 5s, or rim-running shotblockers a la Mark Williams), unc has zigged where others zagged.

Whether this was an intentional strategy or a happy (for them) accident is a different question. I'm also ignoring the guards and wings (Love, Davis, Black, Pinson, Berry, etc.) who also stay for 3-4 years, but I think the string of successful multi-year big men is what most differentiates them from other programs in recent seasons.

A lot of programs in college have had success at holding onto limited (in terms of NBA upside) but productive college bigs. This season alone, some of the leading player of the year candidates are JR Zach Edey, SR Drew Timme, SR Armando Bacot, SR Oscar Tshiebwe, JR Hunter Dickinson, JR Adama Sanogo, and JR Jalen Wilson.

While I agree that UNC has had a lot of success/luck at holding onto its highly-rated players for multiple years, they also have had to suffer through some rebuilding years to get to those experienced teams. Let's not forget that UNC was bad in 2010 after winning the National Title, finishing 5-11 in the ACC and missing the NCAA Tournament. They were LAST in the ACC in 2020, a team that featured freshman Bacot in the starting frontcourt. The next season, when they had 5 former McDonald's All-Americans on the roster and the preseason ACC POTY, they were only ok and got blown out by Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAAT, Roy William's first and last time losing in the 1st round (and the last game of his career, as it would turn out).


This year's UNC team features 11 former RSCI top-100 players on its roster. I believe that leads the nation in terms of number of such players. In spite of that depth of talent, Hubert Davis is using his bench less than almost any coach in the nation. According to KenPom, UNC is 361st in the nation in bench minutes at 18.7%. (Duke is at 33.0%, right around the middle of the pack at 131st in the nation). Somehow, Davis has convinced a group of 6 former top 100 recruits that they need to wait their turn (for the second year in a row, I might add). UNC also has dropped out of the top 25 after debuting at #1 in the preseason AP Poll. If UNC had lost to Baylor or UCLA in the NCAA Tournament last year, I am pretty sure that everyone would agree that the Tar Heels would be in the midst of their worst stretch as a program in a century. But who knows? Perhaps they will right the ship and make another miraculous run in the final weeks of the season again this year. Or they will flame out again, much like they did in 2018, 2019, and 2021 where each season ended with a double-digit loss in the first weekend of the tournament. Perhaps that is the price they are paying for holding onto players that have dim NBA prospects.

Southgate0809
01-04-2023, 10:50 AM
Love the conversation and the opinions, but as we are experiencing right now, it is really hard to say who is going to stick around and who is going to have a meaningful role until the players have played at least a few games.

Prior to the start of this season, there were a lot of reports that Flip might play a lesser role and was open to coming back for his soph season. Then he played like one of the best players in the country for the first month of the season, vaulting into lottery conversation and seeming like a certain OAD player. Lately, Flip has come back down to Earth... who knows what he may be thinking now.

Derek Lively was a no-brainer OAD player but got hurt and now, even though he is fully healthy, his draft stock is slipping and it is not entirely impossible to imagine him returning to Duke (Mark Williams could be a decent comp here).

Heck, anyone who tells you even know that they have a really good sense of what Mitchell and Proctor are going to do is probably lying (though I think both will likely go into the draft if it makes even a little bit of sense).

Caleb Foster, Jared McCain, Sean Stewart, and TJ Power could make any number of decisions (Mac and Whitehead are turning pro, mark it down).

My guess (which is based on nothing other than my understanding of psychology) is that an 18/19-year-old is not usually making a decision about the NBA based on draft boards or their performance during the previous season. I'm guessing the ones that enter the season with the plan to go pro after 1 year are going to go pro regardless of how they perform or where they are on the mock draft boards. Duval came in planning to be the next great one and done point guard at Duke. Steward might have had a similar mindset. Due to Duke's recruiting players that are so high in the recruiting rankings, they are more likely to have that mindset than players for other teams. Guys like Harrison Barnes are the crazy exception. Guys like Matthew Hurt and Wendell Moore are the exceptions for Duke, but not the norm, even though Hurt still wound up making a bad decision after year 2. I think it's extremely difficult for anyone, but especially for a teenager, to decide that they need more time in college after 100% committing to the idea that they would play in school for 1 year, then go to the NBA. We all experience similar things as adults. We have a budget when we're buying a new home, but we see that house that we fall in love with, and none of the logical details matter. We do what we need to do to stretch that budget because it's so hard to mentally let go of the idea we've fallen in love with.

My point is that I don't think the chances of Lively staying are any different now than if he was averaging 20 and 10 for us. He has had a plan in place for himself for some time now. The big difference in him and Mark Williams is that Mark Williams wasn't the #1 player in the country. Some sort of realism may have forced him to enter college with the mindset of "I want to get to the NBA as quickly as possible, but let me make sure I get my game ready and do that when the time is right."

UrinalCake
01-04-2023, 11:52 AM
PG: SO McCain, SR Blakes
SG: SO Foster, JR Schutt
SF: SO Power, FR Harris


If all six of those guys are on our roster, that could potentially be the one of the best shooting guard/wing lineups I've seen in a long time.

scottdude8
01-04-2023, 12:17 PM
FWIW, Duke might have a relatively (by recent Duke standards, at least) experienced roster during the 2024-25 season.

PG: SO McCain, SR Blakes
SG: SO Foster, JR Schutt
SF: SO Power, FR Harris
PF: SO Stewart
C: JR Reeves



If all six of those guys are on our roster, that could potentially be the one of the best shooting guard/wing lineups I've seen in a long time.

Yeah, I think it's very likely that at least one of McCain or Foster is a OAD based on their recruiting profiles. Both are small-ish to be NBA point guards (I've seen them listed around 6'2''-6'3''), so to garner 1st round NBA interest they'll likely have to show elite shooting ability or be simply dominant. McCain profiles as the better shooter of the two, but also has his crazy TikTok following that means he could rake in NIL money while at Duke. Given recent history I don't think we should plan on either sticking around for Year 2, but the likelihood of one returning is still larger than it has been with recent 5* guard recruits IMHO.

DavidBenAkiva
01-04-2023, 12:32 PM
Yeah, I think it's very likely that at least one of McCain or Foster is a OAD based on their recruiting profiles. Both are small-ish to be NBA point guards (I've seen them listed around 6'2''-6'3''), so to garner 1st round NBA interest they'll likely have to show elite shooting ability or be simply dominant. McCain profiles as the better shooter of the two, but also has his crazy TikTok following that means he could rake in NIL money while at Duke. Given recent history I don't think we should plan on either sticking around for Year 2, but the likelihood of one returning is still larger than it has been with recent 5* guard recruits IMHO.

FWIW, I've seen Foster listed at 6'4-5" or so. His profile on 247Sport and On3 lists him at 6'5". ESPN has him at 6'3", but I've found their profiles tend to be out of date.

Here's a scouting report from July 2022 from Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports on Foster:


No guard in the country put up better numbers than Foster did in the month of July with over 25 points and nearly 5 assists per game. He’s a bigger guard with good size, strength, and seemingly long arms. He’s not going to overwhelm you with his athleticism, but he has terrific balance and a versatile attack that allows him to be a multi-level threat while still playing within the flow of the game. He may not have a mechanically pure release on his jumper, but has evolved into an undeniably tough shot-maker with threes, pull-ups, little step-backs, and soft runners all in his bag. He has combo-moves off the dribble, uses his body well once he gets his defender on his hip, and terrific body control in the lane. He’s playing with more of a scoring mentality right now, but has a good natural feel for the game, and is both a capable and willing passer. He also doesn’t get sped-up as a handler and projects as a good pick-and-roll player because of his versatility and ability to make reads. Defensively, it remains to be seen if he’ll have a hard time containing smaller and quicker guards, especially in open space.

Billy Dat
01-16-2023, 02:23 PM
Ian Jackson from NYC's Cardinal Hayes is announcing today and Twitter, and Crystal Ball, thinks it's going to a late steal from Kentucky to UNC. I have seen this kid play in person and he is a BEAST. He'd be a huge get for Hubert, probably the highest ranked player their program has secured in a while. It will also be tough recruiting loss for Cal. Let's see if it actually plays out that way.

I saw Jackson because he played against a squad much more local to me, Stepinac, the alma matter of AJ Griffin (and RJ Davis). They have a great player in the same class, Boogie Fland, who I know (per this thread) that Duke has at least at least talked to. I think Boogie is also getting a lot of attention from Kentucky and UNC.

Jackson and Fland play each other a lot, and were teammates on the USA squad last summer. If either UNC and Kentucky can get both, that's quite a nice haul.

dukelifer
01-16-2023, 04:01 PM
Ian Jackson from NYC's Cardinal Hayes is announcing today and Twitter, and Crystal Ball, thinks it's going to a late steal from Kentucky to UNC. I have seen this kid play in person and he is a BEAST. He'd be a huge get for Hubert, probably the highest ranked player their program has secured in a while. It will also be tough recruiting loss for Cal. Let's see if it actually plays out that way.

I saw Jackson because he played against a squad much more local to me, Stepinac, the alma matter of AJ Griffin (and RJ Davis). They have a great player in the same class, Boogie Fland, who I know (per this thread) that Duke has at least at least talked to. I think Boogie is also getting a lot of attention from Kentucky and UNC.

Jackson and Fland play each other a lot, and were teammates on the USA squad last summer. If either UNC and Kentucky can get both, that's quite a nice haul.

Too bad Jackson gave up any chance of going to the NBA with that decision. I guess he wanted to focus on his education.

heyman25
01-16-2023, 04:22 PM
My speculation is Whitehead will leave for NBA, and Ryan Young will return. Filipowski might want to return to play with Power. However could go either way.

Roach I think will leave because of all the guards next season. Next season potentially Duke will have Foster, McCain, Proctor, Blakes and Schutt. Mitchell is not NBA ready,but with Stewart Mgbako and Power coming in he might be transfer portal candidate because of PT concerns.

Reeves will be at Center and because of Lively's slow development, very good odds he will return.

That is 13 scholarship players. Hubbard and Borden for practice.

Strictly speculation,because if Filipowski and Lively drastically improve in the remainder of this season,they will test the NBA Draft.

Ian Jackson is committed to UNC. Saw it on Twitter.

Ian
01-16-2023, 05:01 PM
My speculation is Whitehead will leave for NBA, and Ryan Young will return. Filipowski might want to return to play with Power. However could go either way.

Roach I think will leave because of all the guards next season. Next season potentially Duke will have Foster, McCain, Proctor, Blakes and Schutt. Mitchell is not NBA ready,but with Stewart Mgbako and Power coming in he might be transfer portal candidate because of PT concerns.

Reeves will be at Center and because of Lively's slow development, very good odds he will return.

That is 13 scholarship players. Hubbard and Borden for practice.

Strictly speculation,because if Filipowski and Lively drastically improve in the remainder of this season,they will test the NBA Draft.

Ian Jackson is committed to UNC. Saw it on Twitter.

Lively, Mitchell, and Whitehead are all going to the draft.
And strong chance Roach will move on as well.

If we keep Proctor and Flip, next year could be a lot of fun. If we keep one of them, we should still be a contender. If we lose both, next year will be more like this year again. maybe a little bit better, but not contenders.

Lefty10
01-16-2023, 05:45 PM
Which of the 2024 recruits have you seen play to conclude we will be a contender?

Birdman79
01-17-2023, 02:50 PM
Lively, Mitchell, and Whitehead are all going to the draft.
And strong chance Roach will move on as well.

If we keep Proctor and Flip, next year could be a lot of fun. If we keep one of them, we should still be a contender. If we lose both, next year will be more like this year again. maybe a little bit better, but not contenders.


No one on this team, at this time, is worthy of draft consideration. Flaws abound- inconsistent outside shooting, inconsistent defensive skills and team basketball awareness. They seem like a nice group of young men that can't figure out how to play together. Further, a vacuum of on court leadership produces long scoring droughts. I like JS but he has to show this group some 'tough love' or we are destined for the NIT.

clinresga
01-17-2023, 03:02 PM
No one on this team, at this time, is worthy of draft consideration. Flaws abound- inconsistent outside shooting, inconsistent defensive skills and team basketball awareness. They seem like a nice group of young men that can't figure out how to play together. Further, a vacuum of on court leadership produces long scoring droughts. I like JS but he has to show this group some 'tough love' or we are destined for the NIT.

Really, not one of these kids will be drafted? Sounds like a pie bet is in order.

NBA drafts on potential. DW and MM, maybe TP, and even DL as a mobile 7 footer with an ultimately high ceiling are all clearly in play.

tommy
01-17-2023, 03:55 PM
No one on this team, at this time, is worthy of draft consideration. Flaws abound- inconsistent outside shooting, inconsistent defensive skills and team basketball awareness. They seem like a nice group of young men that can't figure out how to play together. Further, a vacuum of on court leadership produces long scoring droughts. I like JS but he has to show this group some 'tough love' or we are destined for the NIT.

Flaws abound in even the top picks in the draft on a regular basis. Just look at last year. Putting Paolo to one side, the next two picks were Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith. Holmgren had (and still has) major questions about how skinny he is, can he hold up physically, can he hold his position in the paint, does he have the quickness to guard on the perimeter, etc. Jabari Smith had (and still has) questions about his ballhandling, his ability to put the ball on the floor, to create his own shot as opposed to simply catch-and-shoot, etc. Of course the Duke guys have flaws -- more flaws than those two guys for sure. But it won't stop Dariq from being drafted pretty high, and the others to be drafted somewhere by someone.

Norman Pfyster
01-17-2023, 04:24 PM
No one on this team, at this time, is worthy of draft consideration. Flaws abound- inconsistent outside shooting, inconsistent defensive skills and team basketball awareness. They seem like a nice group of young men that can't figure out how to play together. Further, a vacuum of on court leadership produces long scoring droughts. I like JS but he has to show this group some 'tough love' or we are destined for the NIT.

There's a distinction between whether a player is worthy of being drafted and whether the same person will realistically make a meaningful impact on an NBA team next year. I would not expect any of our current players to be impact players in the NBA immediately, but, as others have pointed out, several have the kind of potential that would interest an NBA team.

flyingdutchdevil
01-17-2023, 04:43 PM
There's a distinction between whether a player is worthy of being drafted and whether the same person will realistically make a meaningful impact on an NBA team next year. I would not expect any of our current players to be impact players in the NBA immediately, but, as others have pointed out, several have the kind of potential that would interest an NBA team.

Yeah. This is where I'm at as well. There isn't a Paolo on this team (or even an AJ Griffin). If anything, players like Proctor and Lively will get stashed away in the G-League if they do end up being drafted (Lively being a surefire draft pick in the 1st or 2nd round; Proctor being either 2nd round or not drafted at all).

Whitehead is the unknown. Clearly got a late start to the season and is shooting the ball really well, but not as impactful as forecasted.

Off-season will be interested...

clinresga
01-17-2023, 05:04 PM
No one on this team, at this time, is worthy of draft consideration. Flaws abound- inconsistent outside shooting, inconsistent defensive skills and team basketball awareness. They seem like a nice group of young men that can't figure out how to play together. Further, a vacuum of on court leadership produces long scoring droughts. I like JS but he has to show this group some 'tough love' or we are destined for the NIT.

In a season where Jayson Tatum is averaging 30.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 35 games, is the leading contender for MVP, and arguably the best player in the NBA, I have to laugh when we pontificate at this early date about who "deserves to go in the lottery." Some seem to believe that performance of a frosh in the first half of their first college season should determine draft position. Fortunately for the Celtics, Danny Ainge ignored DBR's opinions in a Thread from a similar time in that seaon (Jan 27, 2017) about Tatum. Some select quotes from that thread:

He seems to consider "transition" offense to mean just scoring in the first 5 seconds after crossing half court. He rushes and forces things and that's his biggest problem.

Let's not forget about the defensive end of the court.[REPLY] Why not? He seem to.😕

I have a feeling that Jayson Tatum's "problem" 'round these parts is that he's no Justise Winslow. But, then again, who is?

He is fairly or unfairly been billed as a one and done top level guy and hasn't lived up to it in the eyes of many so far.

I personally don't see any of the current Duke players in the lottery this year

[If you] just look at what these guys have done in the past three months and base their potential on that, I don't see how any of our guys are in the lottery.

Went #3. Ainge drafted potential. And won the lottery!

dm9e24
01-17-2023, 10:54 PM
I don't see a Jason Tatum in this freshman class.

CrazyNotCrazie
01-17-2023, 11:02 PM
I don't see a Jason Tatum in this freshman class.

But do you see a Jayson Tatum in this freshman class?

clinresga
01-18-2023, 08:07 AM
I don't see a Jason Tatum in this freshman class.

As the quotes show, lots of folks didn't see a Jayson Tatum in Jayson Tatum's class. You may be making the same mistake--performance in the first half of a freshman's season has little to do with future NBA potential, viz. Jayson Tatum :o

dukelifer
01-18-2023, 08:51 AM
In a season where Jayson Tatum is averaging 30.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 35 games, is the leading contender for MVP, and arguably the best player in the NBA, I have to laugh when we pontificate at this early date about who "deserves to go in the lottery." Some seem to believe that performance of a frosh in the first half of their first college season should determine draft position. Fortunately for the Celtics, Danny Ainge ignored DBR's opinions in a Thread from a similar time in that seaon (Jan 27, 2017) about Tatum. Some select quotes from that thread:

He seems to consider "transition" offense to mean just scoring in the first 5 seconds after crossing half court. He rushes and forces things and that's his biggest problem.

Let's not forget about the defensive end of the court.[REPLY] Why not? He seem to.😕

I have a feeling that Jayson Tatum's "problem" 'round these parts is that he's no Justise Winslow. But, then again, who is?

He is fairly or unfairly been billed as a one and done top level guy and hasn't lived up to it in the eyes of many so far.

I personally don't see any of the current Duke players in the lottery this year

[If you] just look at what these guys have done in the past three months and base their potential on that, I don't see how any of our guys are in the lottery.

Went #3. Ainge drafted potential. And won the lottery!

The NBA is such a different game making it hard to project. But players get better and by the end of Tatum’s freshman season he was putting up excellent performances. We will see how this class develops in the next month or so.