Duke Basketball: New leader emerges in battle for 2019 C Isaiah Stewart

The Duke basketball program still sits second inside the Crystal Ball for a coveted 2019 center, but the program that was once the favorite has dropped to third while the underdog has now taken the lead.

Isaiah Stewart has all the potential to be some program’s all-time greatest big man — even if only for one season and even if he chooses to be a Duke basketball player.

The five-star 2019 center, who ranks No. 6 on the 247Sports Composite, has drawn comparisons to a host of former Blue Devils: Elton Brand due to his 7-foot-5 wingspan and soft touch around the rim, Shelden Williams for his broad shoulders and shot-blocking excellence, and Marvin Bagley III because of his quick hops in the paint and his deer-like mobility in transition.

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If the 6-foot-9, 245-pound Rochester, N.Y., native does end up lacing up for Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and harnesses all of his gifts, he could be as spectacular as the perfect combination of all three of the above Durham legends.

But, Duke fans, it’s not yet time to count the days until he arrives on campus. Instead, it’s time to count the days until his announcement — unfortunately, although he has indicated the day is coming soon, nobody knows exactly what “soon” means.

ALSO READ: One step remains for Isaiah Stewart

What does seem to be clear, though, is that Washington is picking up steam. Once considered a longshot, the Huskies now possess the lead on the 247Sports Crystal Ball after several experts entered or changed picks in the last couple of days. As it stands, 33 percent of the 18 experts pick Washington, 28 percent pick Duke, 22 percent pick Michigan State, and 17 percent are undecided.

Less than a week ago — for months there was no movement inside the Crystal Ball — 41 percent were going with the Spartans and 33 percent with the Blue Devils while the Huskies barely registered.

ALSO READ: Isaiah Stewart race gives Tom Izzo rematch with Coach K

Clearly, that ball doesn’t make the final decision; Stewart does. And the flurry of recent predictions is likely just the result of some rumor that one expert started.

Rumor also has it, though, that Coach K is the official king of recruiting. Other than a few rejections across August and September 2018, in recent years, he has rarely missed on any five-star he has targeted.

Duke’s 39th-year head honcho has landed the nation’s top recruiting class three years straight — four of the last five — and will likely add to that streak in 2019 if Stewart joins a group of commits that already includes center Vernon Carey Jr. (ranked No. 2), small forward Wendell Moore (ranked No. 24), and combo guard Boogie Ellis (ranked No. 36).

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

The Blue Devil coaches are also hosting power forward Matthew Hurt (ranked No. 7) for an official next weekend. Hurt is not expected to announce his college choice until the spring.

ALSO READ: Matthew Hurt to be in Cameron Indoor Stadium for Virginia game

Currently, Duke’s 2019 class ranks No. 6 in the nation, according to 247Sports.

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