Via twitter, Paolo Banchero released his Top 9, which includes Baylor, Duke, Georgetown, Gonzaga, Kentucky, Memphis, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington.
The entire Duke coaching staff is flying out to Seattle to visit with Banchero next week. The young big man has said that he will stay in the Class of 2021. A lot of time left to go in this one.
Is it just me or is it weird that the front page has Terrence Clark committing in 20 minutes with Duke a contender but no posts at all here about it. Rupp Rafters has 2 threads discussing it.
It’s bad luck for Duke if I tune in so I’ll just check back later around 2:00.
It was a for-gone conclusion that Clark was headed to Kentucky.
Duke visited 2021 5*/ 6'8" Jabari Smith, Jr.(Sandy Creek HS/Tyrone, GA)this morning. Son of former LSU/NBA player. He does not currently hold an offer from Duke as best as I can tell.
https://www.ajc.com/blog/high-school...oCPB2dYfOBdM/#
"Play and practice like you are trying to make the team." --Coach K
The Twitters tell me that after securing Clarke, UK is no longer recruiting top-5 guard Jalen Green. Duke has shown interest and he is likely to schedule a visit, even though we are getting in late. Things can change fast.
The new rankings, including changes, reflect observations from the summer AAU circuit and a few reclassifications. Players of note/interest are below.
1. Jonathan Kuminga, 6'8" F (no change)
2. Chet Holmgren, 7'0" C (+4) - Duke has not offered (yet?)
3. Patrick Baldwin, Jr. 6'8" F (-1)
4. Paolo Banchero, 6'9" F (+1)
5. AJ Griffin, Jr., 6'7" F (+4)
6. Jabari Smith, 6'8" PF (+4) - Duke has not offered (yet?)
10. Max Christie, 6'6" G (+1)
19. Kennedy Chandler, 6'1" PG (+8) - Duke has not offered (yet?)
Duke currently appears to be in great shape with Kuminga, Baldwin, Griffin, and Christie. It's unclear to me if Kuminga is going to stay in the Class of 2021. In an article, about the new rankings, Evan Daniels wrote the Kuminga would be in contention for the #1 overall player were Kuminga to reclassify to the Class of 2020.
One of the top Duke targets for 2021, AJ Griffin, Jr. was a standout performer at the 2019 Northeast Fall Invitational over the weekend. Prep Circuit had a write up of several players, including Griffin.
Sound a bit Winslow-esque, no? Griffin will be attending Countdown to Craziness along with fellow Class of 2021 player Paolo Banchero.2021 F A.J. Griffin (Archbishop Stepinac, NY) – Another MVP candidate from this past weekend was without a doubt Adrian Griffin Jr. out of Archbishop Stepinac. Griffin Jr. had himself a very outstanding performance in both games during his time in Jersey. He was able to show his power, strength, and athleticism throughout, scored effectively and effortlessly, and was super active on the defensive end of the ball. A.J was assertive on the glass and proved his guard skills as a 6-foot-6 plus forward. Let us not be surprised if the top ranked junior puts up huge numbers throughout the high school season.
Somewhat big news in recruiting: Jonathan Kuminga had an interview with Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers and reiterates he will stay in the Class of 2021.