Duke Basketball: Blue Devils would best showcase 2019 PF Matthew Hurt

No current high school senior has a better chance to be a prolific scorer next season than the Duke basketball program’s last remaining five-star target — but only if he chooses to be a Blue Devil.

The addition of Matthew Hurt to the 2019-20 Duke basketball roster would be the equivalent of adding butter to pancakes. Salt to french fries. Pepperonis to pizza.

Buckets to Blue Devils. Banners to rafters.

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Assuming all four of Duke’s freshmen starters are NBA-bound after this season, Hurt represents the one necessary ingredient to give the Blue Devils legit title chances next season after hauling in what would be their fourth consecutive No. 1 recruiting class (would also mark five of the last six).

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Therefore, Duke fans’ championship visions for next season have been teased this week as a slew of recruiting experts have magnified visions of Duke inside the Crystal Ball for Hurt — triggered by the lead expert, 247Sports’ Evan Daniels, on Monday. Prior to this week, zero percent of said experts pegged Hurt as a future Dukie. At the time of this article’s publishing, the number is at 39 percent (Kansas, at 50 percent, still leads but maybe not for long).

"“In terms of the Crystal Ball, it’s not by any means that he’s about to make his college choice, because I don’t think that’s the case,” Daniels said, as reported by 247Sports’ Kevin Flaherty. “But Duke has put itself in a really good position. There are obviously some other really good schools in there, but I don’t know that I would trade [Duke’s] position for anyone right now.”"

While Hurt is lacking the strength, wingspan, and hops to have the most potential in the NBA among all high school seniors, his mastering of the game appears to be beyond that of his peers, meaning his college potential is off the charts.

But that is an opinion with one caveat: Hurt decides to play his college ball in Durham.

In Durham, the 6-foot-9, 215-pound power forward from Rochester, Minn., would not be stuck where he does not want to spend most of his time, where his game doesn’t shine the brightest: in the paint. The Blue Devils’ five-out motion offense, man-to-man defense, and three big men expected to be on the roster should ensure that.

In Durham, the No. 8 prospect on the 247Sports Composite would likely have a green light from Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski to show why he is the most college-ready bucket-getter in his class. The Blue Devils’ need for a prolific scorer outside of the paint next season should ensure that.

ALSO READ: 55 more reasons Duke wants Matthew Hurt

In Durham, the silky shooter and slick passer with smooth handles and a beautiful mind for basketball, who is averaging nearly 34 points a game as a high school senior, should have a shot at scoring near, at, or above the level of current Duke freshmen R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson.

That is just this site’s opinion. Others are welcome to disagree. But all Duke fans should agree that Hurt playing in Durham would be a boost to the Blue Devils and a breathtaking sight to see.

As for comparable sights from Duke’s history, his game brings to mind the perimeter game of Mike Dunleavy mixed with the overall game of Danny Ferry.

As for when to expect Hurt’s decision — most all agree Hurt will end up at either Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, or UNC — his father, Richard, recently said in an interview with Rivals’ Eric Bossi that Matthew is eyeing his birthday, April 20; beyond that, though, he rarely talks about the recruiting process.

The McDonald’s All-American has already taken an official visit to all four of the above schools.

But if he chooses UNC, he risks Roy Williams keeping him on the bench in order to try and keep him around a second season (see Nassir Little). If he chooses Kansas, he risks not playing in the Big Dance (see potential NCAA investigation). If he chooses Kentucky, he risks becoming annoyed by the most annoying fanbase in the country (see any Wildcat fan on Twitter).

If he chooses Duke, his only risk is falling off a ladder as he cuts down nets or falling off the stage at the 2020 NBA Draft as a lottery pick.

Currently, Duke’s 2019 class ranks No. 6 in the nation, per 247Sports, and is comprised of five-star center Vernon Carey Jr. (ranks No. 3), five-star small forward Wendell Moore (ranks No. 22), and four-star combo guard Boogie Ellis (ranks No. 34).

Hurt is the only 2019 prospect holding an outstanding offer from Duke.

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