Arguably the top prospect from the 2021 class apparently craves high-profile options, including the option to be a Duke basketball player.
If offers are status symbols, an offer from the Duke basketball program is like owning a private jet in order to reach one’s own private island.
And five-star 2021 shooting guard Terrence Clarke aims to own one — the Blue Devil offer, that is, though his skills on the hardwood might one day translate into a rolling-in-dough existence.
But according to Clarke’s recent chat with USA Today’s Jason Jordan, he also wants one from Duke’s rival so that he can round out his portfolio of blue-blood offers.
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"“[Kansas and Kentucky] were my last two offers, and, of course, I’m excited about them,” said the 6-foot-6, 180-pound Boston native, who attends Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H.“But I want all of the blue-blood programs to offer me, so I want Duke and North Carolina too.”"
Clarke’s request seems reasonable considering he ranks No. 1 at his position and No. 2 overall on the 247Sports Composite for his class — just behind small forward Patrick Baldwin, Jr., who is currently the only 2021 recruit holding a Duke offer.
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Whether his wish becomes reality, though, is uncertain. All Clarke knows for sure is he has thus far only talked to one coaching staff from the game’s top rivalry.
"“Duke has reached out before, and [Duke coaches] were at games this spring, but I haven’t heard from North Carolina yet,” said the 17-year-old, who is a year older than most recruits in his class but has put to rest any talk of his reclassifying to 2020."
Other than age, what separates Clarke from most rising juniors is his shortage of weaknesses. Not only does he possess a plus-four wingspan, but he also has both the honed skills and noticeable liveliness to maximize the effectiveness of his long arms.
His fluid maneuvers, emphatic dunks, and impressive use of the glass demonstrate his likeness to one of the most recent one-year Blue Devils: R.J. Barrett. Like Barrett, however, his 3-point shot, while not weak enough to be a legit weakness, could use a small adjustment: the shot looks a bit awkward due to his pushing the ball forward just before release rather than just relying on a natural follow through to do all the work.
But there is no question Clarke’s obvious strengths are in abundant supply.
His vision and slick passes ensure he regularly puts his teammates in prime scoring position. His motor and athleticism — not to mention his Inspector Gadget limbs — ensure he regularly runs down loose balls and frustrates those he guards (his length and quickness allow him to easily defend both guards and forwards).
Again pointing out the similarity to Barrett, Clarke is a triple-double threat every time his shoes hit the court — as he again proved last weekend at the Nike EYBL in Dallas with a 25-point, 8-rebound, 7-assist performance.
Although Clarke’s college decision may not come for two more years and his desire to hold offers from all the blue-bloods does not necessarily guarantee he will choose a blue-blood, at this point Duke fans should be excited knowing the phenom hopes to at least have the option to join the #TheBrotherhood.
"“Not saying I’ll go to those schools for sure, but I think every player wants those specific options,” Clarke told Jordan. “I’ve been working really hard to be in a position to get those types of offers.”"
Assuming he eventually lands a Blue Devil offer and head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s recruiting dominance continues, it certainly won’t be a surprise if Clarke’s private jet — a.k.a, his body — lands in Durham for the 2021-22 season.
Of course, he will almost certainly only stay in college one season before possibly being the first to shake Adam Silver’s hand at the 2022 NBA Draft — though Baldwin Jr. may have something to say about to that.
Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more Duke basketball recruiting updates, analyses, opinions, and predictions.