Duke Basketball: Wendell Moore’s visit this weekend crucial for Blue Devils

It is imperative that the Duke basketball coaches woo Wendell Moore during the five-star forward’s visit to Durham this weekend.

Make him promises for playing time. Bring in Duke basketball legends to talk to him. Heck, name a street or building on campus after him.

Whatever it takes — within the rules, of course — Mike Krzyzewski and his staff should be willing to do it. They simply can’t afford to let Wendell Moore become the latest name on the list of five-star targets from the 2019 class who have turned down the Blue Devils.

With at least three current freshmen likely off to the NBA after next season and one senior graduating, the coaches will need to nab no less than three commitments — preferably five-stars. Right now, the number is stuck at zilch (thanks to the likes of Armando Bacot, Bryan Antoine, Nico Mannion, Scottie Lewis, and Josiah James all choosing within the past month to take their talents elsewhere).

More from Ball Durham

• Duke basketball: The architect behind digital dominance
• Duke basketball prioritizing frontcourt prospects in 2025
• Duke basketball: Unmasking the hate for the Blue Devils
• Duke basketball: Countdown to Craziness lands another huge visitor
• Duke basketball fills final open scholarship

Moore, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound small forward from Concord, N.C., is not the best player the Blue Devils are still pursuing; however, at this moment, he is the most important. Why?

Because his official visit to Duke starts Friday. And commitments often come within days after visits.

Besides, Moore can play. Add to that his reputation as an unselfish leader. It’s a no-brainer that he would be an asset for the Duke basketball program — likely for at least a couple of years to come, unlike the highest-rated targets on the coaches’ list of offers still outstanding.

Moore is listed as the No. 23 overall prospect and No. 6 small forward on the 247 Sports Composite. Duke is the favorite according to the Crystal Ball. That being said, a multitude of erroneous predictions as of late indicates the ball is probably just a plastic knockoff.

A more accurate predictor for the 2019 class — with a 95.45 percent success rate thus far — is the PASR (Predictive Analytics for Successful Recruiting). The model takes into account quantifiable measurements, such as a program’s recent records and the distance a school is from a recruit’s hometown.

And according to the PASR, the four teams remaining on Moore’s list — Duke, UNC, N.C. State, and Wake Forest — have essentially the same chance, with a slight edge to the Blue Devils (25.99 percent compared to 25.96 for UNC, 24.58 for N.C. State, and 23.46 for Wake Forest).

With a race that tight, someone better call in a big dog. Anybody know Hall of Famer Grant Hill’s schedule this weekend?

Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more Duke basketball recruiting updates, analysis, opinions, predictions.