Basketball Recruiting: Taking A Look At Duke’s Top Targets

Apr. 3, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Varsity basketball team member Jahlil Okafor poses at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago. Okafor, a 6 foot 10 inch junior who plays the center position, is poised to become one of the top basketball recruits for college teams in the country. Mandatory Credit: Guy Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Who will be the next player to join Grayson Allen in Duke’s 2014 recruiting class. Right now there are several candidates. I’ve kept up with this 2014 recruiting class, and I’m here to offer up my predictions and insight on these top targets.

Jahlil Okafor: All of us like Okafor. He is a humble kid with a great attitude. These qualities are needed to play at a school like Duke. He and top point guard Tyus Jones have been trying to convince everyone that they will play at the same school. Frankly, I have no reason not to believe them. While he has no timetable for an announcement, he still is likely to decide months from now. He is the consensus top high school player in the entire country. Duke is already considered an early leader for his services. He surprisingly has hometown Illinois on his list of schools, but I don’t buy them as a contender. My prediction is Duke.

Tyus Jones: The other half of the package deal. While Jones isn’t my favorite point guard in the 2014 class, he still will have one helluva impact for whatever school he decides for. Jones is only “6-1”, so he does lack elite size. He has great handles and is a very good passer. He struggles with his shooting ability at times, but the potential is there. He hasn’t really said much in terms of his recruitment, other than stating he’ll be a package deal with Jahlil Okafor. How  would you guys like a Jones/Okafor combination for Duke? I think we’ll see it very soon.

Kevon Looney: Do you want size? Kevon Looney gives you this at the small forward position. He is “6-10” in spite of  playing the small forward position. Looney recently had a in-home visit with Coach K in April. He said that Coach K is “a great person”. He also stated that his parents have a bond with him as well. Looney said he is going to cut his list to five schools in July. He will be a good rebounder and carry good athleticism and defensive ability. To be honest, I have no clue where he is heading, but I have a good feeling about Duke.

Justise Winslow: This is the final huge target to take a look at. Like Looney, Justise Winslow is  great at grabbing rebounds and being a lockdown defender. He just recently visited Duke last week. Winslow suffered from a meniscus injury, but said he was 75-80% healed. He likes Coach K and Duke University as a whole. Based on what I’ve seen, I feel it’s a two-horse race between Arizona and Duke. But just like these other guys, I think Duke is the favorite to land him.

Right now I think we could be in for one of the greatest Duke Blue Devil recruiting classes of all-time. Do I think Duke is the favorite to land these four targets? Yes. Do I think Duke will land every one of them? Unlikely.

What do you guys think? Be sure to make me aware of your thoughts.