Class of 2020 Recruiting Reset
This post is probably a week too early, but what else am I going to do during the offseason?
There is some clarity around Duke's 2019-20 roster at this point in time with a few uncertain pieces left to iron out. Let's start with the "known knowns," or the things we know will happen before the fall of 2020 rolls around.
Departures, Certain (barring injury): Marques Bolden, Javin DeLaurier, Justin Robinson, and Jack White
Departures, Likely: Vernon Carey, Jr., Matthew Hurt (should he indeed commit this Friday), and Tre Jones
That's a lot of frontcourt talent to lose as well as a potential All-American in Tre Jones. It's not clear that Jones will leave, but we can assume he is more likely to depart for the NBA after the 2019-20 season than to stick around for a junior season.
On the Fence: Wendell Moore, Cassius Stanley (should he indeed commit this Saturday)
It's not clear to me that either is a one-and-done talent at this point in time. If I had to guess, I expect both to stick around for at least 2 years. Wendell Moore appears to be the more skilled of the two. His game is that of an ultimate glue guy where he does everything well without standing out in any one particular area. Is that going to be enough for him to draw the attention he would need to get into the NBA Draft? Stanley is older and has a wow factor with his athleticism. But his skills appear to be further behind. I would like to reserve judgement on both until the season starts. I did go back and forth about Tre Jones, believing he would be a multi-year player at first, then certain he would go to the NBA, and then ultimately concluding in February or so that he would probably return. These things change over time.
Probably Returning: Jordan Goldwire, Alex O'Connell, Joey Baker, Boogie Ellis
If you combine the last two categories, that's a pretty versatile and nice depth chart for the backcourt and wings. There's shooting, size, and length. There is a glaring lack of frontcourt.
Offers:
Scottie Barnes, 6'9" F, West Palm Beach, FL
Brandon "B.J." Boston, 6'6" SG, Atlanta, GA
R.J. Hampton, 6'5" G, Little Elm, TX
Jalen Johnson, 6'8" F, Sun Prairie, WI
Walker Kessler, 7'0" C, Fairburn, GA
Jeremy Roach, 6'2" PG, Fairfax, VA
It appears the Boston, Johnson, and Kessler are the primary recruiting targets at the moment. I expect that Hampton's decision to reclassify to the Class of 2019 will determine whether he remains a priority or if Duke puts more attention on Roach as its primary point guard target. Duke has also hosted Henry Coleman, a 6'7" forward from Richmond, VA. I haven't seen an offer extended yet. He's ranked 46th in the 247Sports Composite and would be an apparent replacement for Jack White or Javin DeLaurier in the frontcourt as a multi-year player.
One final note is that we might see a transfer this summer. Duke is in desperate need of frontcourt depth. It seems that the plan is to have Kessler and Johnson in the frontcourt if they both commit. Both can shoot and Johnson is considered an elite playmaker. Perhaps Joey Baker could play some time at the stretch 4 to spell Johnson or play alongside him as a small forward. In either case, Duke really needs a reserve center that can play in the post or even be a starting center if Walker Kessler decides to go elsewhere. Given the lack of experience anticipated in the frontcourt, I would assume a transfer this summer would be helpful to have some experience down low.