Isn't Cayden Boozer considered a PG?
2025 Men's Basketball Recruiting
- Thread starter DavidBenAkiva
- Start date
Isn't Cayden Boozer considered a PG?
SkyBrickey
Member
Yes, but a 29th rated frosh PG coming in is not a replacement for Proctor and Foster. It would be unprecedented if Jon were to start him...
The '06-'07 team started a 28th ranked freshman at guard. Granted, he didn't play much point until later. Granted further, that team wasn't very good - though it might have been better had he played more at point guard.
DBKilby
Member
This is why Miami is the leader for them. I don't think Jon views little Boozer as that guy. Burries is the top back court target.
JasonEvans
Host, The Duke Basketball Roundup
I have an insane, bonkers notion.
It is not at all unreasonable to think that Flagg and Maluach are the only freshmen who will likely turn pro after this season. It is also not bonkers to think that Foster is likely to return as well. So, there is a pretty darn reasonable scenario where Duke returns:
Guards/Wings - Foster, Evans, K2, Harris
Forwards - Brown
Centers - Ngongba
That is a pretty darn good start to a roster. Is one of the reasons Duke may be moving a bit slower on 2025 is that we don't actually desperately need all that much from it?
That said, you know SOMEONE will hit the portal and there are certainly scenarios where someone on the team blows up and enters the draft (McCain would have seemed at least somewhat unlikely to be OAD a year ago) and the team probably needs an alpha or two to carry some scoring load.
Anyway, just a bonkers thought...
It is not at all unreasonable to think that Flagg and Maluach are the only freshmen who will likely turn pro after this season. It is also not bonkers to think that Foster is likely to return as well. So, there is a pretty darn reasonable scenario where Duke returns:
Guards/Wings - Foster, Evans, K2, Harris
Forwards - Brown
Centers - Ngongba
That is a pretty darn good start to a roster. Is one of the reasons Duke may be moving a bit slower on 2025 is that we don't actually desperately need all that much from it?
That said, you know SOMEONE will hit the portal and there are certainly scenarios where someone on the team blows up and enters the draft (McCain would have seemed at least somewhat unlikely to be OAD a year ago) and the team probably needs an alpha or two to carry some scoring load.
Anyway, just a bonkers thought...
Is Proctor gone in this scenario as well?
MChambers
Member
Size
So Scheyer's actually making offers to players who are shorter than 6-5? Seems like a strategy change.
So Scheyer's actually making offers to players who are shorter than 6-5? Seems like a strategy change.
scottdude8
Moderator, front page and podcast contributor
Somewhere Sky just perked up...
SkyBrickey
Member
You haven't been reading my recent posts...
Layer in either Boozer or Caleb Wilson, and Brayton Burries, and you've got a really solid 8 man rotation. Goldilocks is stirring in her sleep...
JasonEvans
Host, The Duke Basketball Roundup
Seems like we may not really be in it for Meleek Thomas. He just announced he is doing the OTE thing rather than another year of high school. He still plans to consider going to college next year but we don't get a mention on his list of possible schools in this ESPN article: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-b...40326937/espn-no-7-prospect-thomas-goes-elite
"... and others" is not where Duke typically falls in the mind of potential recruits.
"... and others" is not where Duke typically falls in the mind of potential recruits.
scottdude8
Moderator, front page and podcast contributor
I wonder whether the educational side of things at OTE would even be sufficient to get someone into Duke...
SkyBrickey
Member
Bryson Tiller is another top 2025 recruit who I know was a good student and had interest in Duke. But he chose to go to OTE and there haven't been any reports of contact from Duke. I don't have any inside knowledge, but I suspect this might be a red line for Duke admissions...
DavidBenAkiva
Member
Interesting. Another wing. I wonder how many of Isaiah Evans, Kon Knueppel, and Darren Harris will be on the 2025-26 roster.
Can't say I am overly familiar with his game but highlights shows a player not unlike Sion James or maybe Justise Winslow.
SkyBrickey
Member
As a 4-star he does not sound like a guy who would take playing time away from any of those three. It will be very interesting to see if Jon brings in any OAD wing types. Notable that Maleek Thomas is no longer a target.
I don't know about the relative difference (at least at this point in the recruiting cycle) between a "4 star" and "5 start" in assessing what the implications would be for the degree to which Henderson might be competing with Evans, K2 or Harris for playing time, but from the descriptions of his game on 247 and On3, it seems like he brings different relative strengths/weaknesses than those guys, and personally I never mind it if Duke is playing with 3 wings on the floor so I'd be pleased to have all 4 of those guys on the 2025-2026 roster:
247: "Henderson is a physical specimen from the wing position who arguably has the best long-term tools in the national class. He operates as a playmaking wing who is loaded with intangibles that are off the charts. He boasts a man-child frame while possessing huge hands and long arms. Henderson has the build to overpower defenders on his drive at the collegiate level and should draw fouls with ease when looking to drive the basketball. He has a chance to be known for his two-way versatility. He has a tremendous feel for the game with shooting potential and the ability to guard multiple positions on the floor. To tap into his great upside, he must learn to demand the ball and impose his will with an assertive style. Down the road, he could really make a jump as he gains more and more confidence in what he brings to the table."
On3: "Shelton Henderson is a strong-framed, densely built, explosive wing. Listed at 6-5, he has explosive burst and plays with an innate toughness on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he is comfortable on the ball. He has a good first-step to get by his man and the strength to hold him off with contact. He has good floor vision and makes quick decisions with the ball. Comfortable as a secondary initiator. The jump shoot will need re-tooling. It is inconsistent right now, allowing defenses to sag off and clog the lane. Henderson is a good positional rebounder and he can defend up or down a line up, comfortable containing the one through four at this level. He has an alpha mentality and brings a lot of winning attributes to a team. Production follows him in each setting he has played.
In terms of where he might fit into relative to other 2025 wings, AJ Dybantsa's doesn't strike me as a "Duke recruitment," so I'd be more interested in how people would compare Henderson to Haralson or Ament.
DBKilby
Member
I have always thought Dybansta was going to UConn but now that Hurley has flirted with leaving I think his recruitment is more open again. I haven't seen Henderson play but Haralson is a guy who does everything pretty well. I would describe him as a point forward type. He said in January that he wants to be a one and done but I only view maybe 6 or so players in the '25 class as that and he isn't one of them. He did say that Jon said he was a priority so we will see. The '25 class has really taken a hit with reclasses. Ament is a college 4 to me so he isn't competing with those guys. Ament is growing and I think was recently measured at 6'8. I view him, Boozer, Wilson and Peat as 4 man at Duke. I think its Ament or Wilson right now as the most realistic at the 4 spot. The only guy currently that Duke seems to be zeroing in on is Brayden Burries. Jon was there this morning front and center for his game.
SkyBrickey
Member
If we were to keep six potential returnees after this season - that assumes only one of Foster/Proctor return - and all six were ready for rotation minutes, then I would think the two perfect recruits would be a combo guard (like Burries) and a 4 (like Wilson or Ament or Peat or Boozer).
Of course there's nothing perfect and predictable about the state of college basketball, so I'd say the odds of us having 6 returnees is pretty low. I did like hearing Jon say in his Bilas interview that in a typical year he'd be looking at 1-2 transfers. This to me is a big hint that he's not planning for the wholesale roster turnover we had this year.
Of course there's nothing perfect and predictable about the state of college basketball, so I'd say the odds of us having 6 returnees is pretty low. I did like hearing Jon say in his Bilas interview that in a typical year he'd be looking at 1-2 transfers. This to me is a big hint that he's not planning for the wholesale roster turnover we had this year.
gam7
Member
The field for the Peach Jam (taking place in mid-July) is set, and not surprisingly, a lot of Duke recruiting targets will be playing. The teams with Duke recruiting connections (either offers or interest) include the following:
Nightrydas Elite (FL) - Boozers, Caleb Wilson
Oakland Soldiers (CA) - AJ Dybantsa, Tyran Stokes (’26)
JL3 (TX) - Shelton Henderson, Hudson Greer
Indy Heat (IN) - Jalen Haralson
SFG (CA) - Brayden Burries
UPlay (CAN) - Will Riley
Expressions Elite - Dwayne Aristode
New Heights Lightning (NY) - Meleek Thomas
Arizona Unity (AZ) - Brandon McCoy, Jr. (’26)
WhyNot (CA) - Jason Crowe, Jr. (’26)
Nate Ament and Koa Peat (both with Duke offers) play on the Adidas circuit, so won't be playing at Peach Jam.
Nightrydas Elite (FL) - Boozers, Caleb Wilson
Oakland Soldiers (CA) - AJ Dybantsa, Tyran Stokes (’26)
JL3 (TX) - Shelton Henderson, Hudson Greer
Indy Heat (IN) - Jalen Haralson
SFG (CA) - Brayden Burries
UPlay (CAN) - Will Riley
Expressions Elite - Dwayne Aristode
New Heights Lightning (NY) - Meleek Thomas
Arizona Unity (AZ) - Brandon McCoy, Jr. (’26)
WhyNot (CA) - Jason Crowe, Jr. (’26)
Nate Ament and Koa Peat (both with Duke offers) play on the Adidas circuit, so won't be playing at Peach Jam.
If they play on the Adidas circuit, does that result in them committing to an Adidas school ?