Duke Basketball: All experts expect Boogie Ellis to become a Blue Devil

If all the experts are correct, the Duke basketball program is a day away from adding its newest member to #TheBrotherhood.

Talk about a fun week to be a fan of the Blue Devils. First, there was the loud debut of Zion Williamson and Co. that resulted in the Duke basketball team’s statement blowout over Kentucky. On Saturday afternoon, the newly bowl-eligible gridiron Blue Devils, fresh off a 20-12 upset win at Miami, will attempt to retain the Victory Bell (a win would mark five of the last seven over their rivals from Chapel Hill).

And on Friday night at 10 p.m. on the East Coast, fans are likely to hear news of the Blue Devils notching yet another victory over UNC, this one of the recruiting variety.

According to the Crystal Ball at 247Sports, there is now a 100-percent chance that four-star 2019 combo guard Boogie Ellis will choose Duke over UNC, USC, Memphis, and San Diego State — he put out his list of his final five on Oct. 30 — when he makes his announcement (at 7 p.m. in his time zone) from his Mission Bay High School in San Diego.

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A day ago, that mark was 93 percent. A week ago, it was 75 percent. And just three weeks ago, it was zero percent.

Included in the list of Crystal Ball experts who have entered a prediction is Evan Daniels, the director of basketball recruiting for 247 Sports, who has thus far been accurate with 70 of his 73 picks for recruits from the 2019 class.

So although Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff were the last to extend an offer to the 6-foot-2, 165-pound prospect, all signs now point to them being the last standing in the battle for his future services.

And if that does turn out to be the case, the program will be getting a guy who is expected to be in Durham for more than just one season — as is likely the case with the Blue Devils’ lone 2019 commitment, five-star small forward Wendell Moore.

Ellis is a smooth operator with the ball in his hands. His game, including the way he handles the ball and the types of shots he finds with his purposeful movements on the court, appears to share similarities to that of former Duke guard Nolan Smith (current director of basketball operations for the Blue Devils).

The 247Sports Composite ranks Ellis No. 35 overall in his class and No. 7 at his position.

On Wednesday, Ellis tweeted an invitation for all to attend his announcement ceremony. But those fans who don’t live near San Diego and aren’t willing or able to hop on a plane to California just to be there, expect the event to be live-streamed on social media by several of those who are in attendance.

Or just check back with Ball Durham for news of his announcement the moment that it happens.

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