Duke Basketball: One step remains for five-star 2019 C Isaiah Stewart

A five-star center who could make the Duke basketball program’s 2019 recruiting class the nation’s best suggested he already knows his college choice and all that remains is picking a date to let the world know.

In a perfect world, at least for Duke basketball fans, the latest statements from Isaiah Stewart hint that he just needs to double-check the Blue Devils’ schedule to make sure his announcement does not interfere with a game. After all, the 6-foot-9, 245-pound center would surely want his new fanbase to tune in live to see him verbally become a Dukie.

It’s certainly not a sure thing, though, that Durham, N.C., will host the Rochester, N.Y., native for his college stay — likely to be a one-year layover on his way to the NBA. However, it does seem clear that Stewart knows his destination, at least according to his latest interview with Rivals’ Corey Evans.

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"“I am pretty much down to knowing where I want to go,” Stewart said to Evans, “so it is now about talking it over with my people and setting up a date.”"

Where he ends up will almost certainly be either Duke or one of the other four schools on his list: Michigan State, Kentucky, Syracuse, and Washington. He has already wrapped up official visits to all. The 247Sports Crystal Ball sees it as a battle between the Spartans and the Blue Devils.

Stewart, who ranks No. 6 on the 247Sports Composite, uses his 7-foot-5 wingspan and near-flawless footwork to display a defensive prowess that is reminiscent of the Blue Devils’ all-time leading shot blocker, Shelden Williams. He told Evans that he is well aware that he could help make the frontcourt the Blue Devils’ primary feature next season — much like it was last season with one-and-done bigs Wendell Carter Jr. and Marvin Bagley III.

"“I was their guy from day one,” Stewart said about the Blue Devils’ coaches, “and they want for me to come in and be the leader of the class and have that duo with Vernon (Carey) like they had with Wendell (Carter) and Marvin (Bagley), and try and win a championship.”"

Speaking of Vernon Carey Jr., who ranks No. 2 on the composite and verbally committed to Duke at the beginning of December, he is another freak-of-nature five-star big man. While Carey Jr. and Stewart share similar games and both have the potential to dominate on both ends of the floor, like Carter Jr. and Bagley last season, one is known more for his offense (Carey Jr.) and the other more for his defense (Stewart).

Head coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff also hold commitments from two other 2019 recruits: five-star small forward Wendell Moore (ranked No. 24) and four-star combo guard Boogie Ellis (ranked No. 36).

Stewart also told Evans that he receives text messages from Carey Jr., Moore, and Ellis that look like this:

"“Just come on, what are you waiting on?”“They want for me to complete the class,” Stewart added, “and that I am the missing piece and they all want to play with me.”"

ALSO READ: Blue Devil commits in group chat with Isaiah Stewart

However, Stewart is not the only 2019 offer Duke still has on the table. Matthew Hurt, who is planning to be behind the Blue Devils’ bench when Virginia visits Cameron Indoor Stadium on Jan. 19, will not likely make up his mind as to where he will play his college ball — potentially another one-and-done talent — until at least April.

ALSO READ: Kansas may be using extracurricular methods to land Matthew Hurt

Duke’s 2019 class currently ranks No. 6 in the nation, according to 247Sports. The addition of either Stewart or Hurt — preferably both — would likely give the Blue Devils the top class for the fourth year straight (would mark five of the past six).

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