Five-star 2019 center Isaiah Stewart, who is on his official visit with the Duke basketball program this weekend, has suggested that he would like to soon make his college choice.
By the end of this calendar year, possibly even as soon as the end of this month, the Duke basketball coaches may have commitments from two five-star 2019 centers whose talent levels rival those of any big men who have ever played for the home team in Durham.
Vernon Carey Jr., a 6-foot-10, 275-pound bruiser in the paint, skilled ballhandler, and accurate outside shooter who is ranked No. 2 on the 247Sports Composite, trimmed his list on Wednesday to three — Duke, UNC, and Michigan State — and he could schedule his final announcement at any moment (he could wait several months, but that doesn’t seem likely).
And Isaiah Stewart, a 6-foot-9, 245-pound pure paint prowler, ranked No. 5, who uses his broad shoulders (similar to those of former Blue Devil Shelden “The Landlord” Williams), ridiculous reach, and natural instincts on defense to make opposing players think twice before shooting anytime he’s nearby, is taking his official visit to Duke this weekend.
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He has made it clear that, ideally, he would make up his mind sooner rather than later as to where he will be playing next fall.
"“I would like to go ahead and make a commitment after the last visit,” Stewart wrote in his blog for USA Today High School Sports this week, “but it’s all about how I’m feeling and if I feel like I’m ready.”"
Well, the Duke visit is his last visit. Also, the Rochester, N.Y., native (he is playing his senior year for La Lumiere School in Indiana) said he has had enough conversations with head coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff to get a feel for the type of men he would be playing for if he decided to become a Blue Devil. What he suggested he needs to learn more about, though, is the type of guys he would be playing with and how those guys feel about attending Duke.
"“I’m mostly looking forward to hanging out with the guys and just taking in what it would be like to go there,” Stewart wrote in his blog. “I already have a great relationship with Coach K and the staff so I want to get the players’ take on everything.”"
Stewart has already taken official visits to Washington, Kentucky, Syracuse, and Michigan State. Most believe his recruitment is a three-school race between Duke, Michigan State, and Kentucky. The 247Sports Crystal Ball pegs the Spartans as the favorite with 44 percent of the experts’ picks. The Blue Devils are a close second with 31 percent.
Stewart, Carey Jr., and five-star forward Matthew Hurt (ranked No. 6) are the only 2019 recruits at the moment who hold outstanding offers from the Duke coaching staff.
Wendell Moore, a five-star small forward ranked No. 23 on the composite rankings, and Boogie Ellis, a four-star combo guard ranked No. 35, are the Blue Devils’ lone 2019 commitments. Both signed a letter of intent during the fall signing period, which has now concluded (the spring signing period is April 17-May 15).
Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more Duke basketball recruiting updates, analysis, opinions, and predictions.