Updating this with the Kessler news now that we know his official visit date will be September 6th. Before visiting Duke, Kessler will be going to Michigan at the end of August. After Duke, the big man visits UNC (9/20-22) and then Gonzaga (10/4-6).
Based on the official visits, it seems like Kessler could commit before November.
Yeah, it’s definitely not a done deal that the age minimum is going away in 2022, and the closer we get to that date without a decision being made, the less likely it seems that will happen. And while reclassifying might mean you avoid the double draft, it also means you’re a year younger when facing college level competition and thus more likely to struggle.
The NBA CBA (collective bargaining agreement) runs thru the 23-24 season, but either side can opt out of the CBA after the 22-23 season.
Basically if the OAD discussion doesn't gain traction and reach resolution soon, it'll be very tempting to just roll the OAD change (if it even happens) into the negotiations for the next CBA after expiration of the current one.
ESPN has updated their rankings post-summer.
Commits:
Johnson at #4
Roach at #14
Targets:
Ziaire Williams #5
Walker Kessler #13
DJ Steward #25
Mark Williams #29
Hunter Dickinson #35
Henry Coleman III #41
http://www.espn.com/college-sports/b...ank/class/2020
Also kind of crazy that Roach has moved up despite not playing while he recovers from injury.
New 247sports rankings (this is 247sport's staff rankings-- NOT THEIR COMPOSITE RANKINGS when they factor in rivals, espn, etc...)
DUKE TARGETS/COMMITS
#5 Zaire Williams - UP 1 spot
#7 Jalen Johnson - No change
#8 Scottie Barnes - DOWN 2 spots
#12 Walker Kessler - No Change
#18 Jeremy Roach- DOWN 2 spots
#25 DJ Steward - UP 5 spots
#28 Mark Williams - UP 6 spots
#36 Henry Coleman - DOWN 4 spots
5-star Mark Williams has now added Michigan to his final list of schools, bringing the latest list to:
Duke, UCLA, VaTech, Stanford, GTown, tOSU, and Michigan.
A couple of Henry Coleman updates.
1) He will be making an official visit to Duke this weekend (8/31-9/1)
2) Andrew Slater logged a Crystal Ball selection in Duke's favor on Monday
Quick update on Mark Williams: According to Jake Weingarten, Williams has dropped Georgetown and Virginia Tech from schools he is considering. He's booked official visits at his final five schools, including Stanford, UCLA (last weekend), Ohio State (early October), Michigan (late October), and Duke (November 1-3).
Do we have a realistic shot at Clarke or is he pretty much Kentucky-bound?
Why are you wasting time here when you could be wasting it by listening to the latest episode of the DBR Podcast?
Henry Coleman may not like the football game, but I sure hope he enjoys everything else about Duke ! Hope his visit goes well and the end result is a positive one.