Major recruiting advantage for Duke basketball this week

2021 Duke targets at Peach Jam

Playing on the same team as Johnson is the No. 1 player from the 2021 class, small forward Patrick Baldwin Jr., a gem who appears to have spent more time in the gym than any of his peers; plus, he has the athleticism and length to go along with his skills — a.k.a., a deadly combination.

The Crystal Ball’s two picks for the 6-foot-8, 190-pound Baldwin Jr., who last summer became the youngest prospect to ever receive an offer from Coach K, suggest Duke is the early leader.

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Also holding an early Blue Devil offer is 6-foot-7, 200-pound five-star small forward A.J. Griffin, who looks to put his heady, polished game — known as an elite playmaking athlete who is also a strong, willing defender — on full display for the PSA Cardinals (N.Y.).

ALSO READ: Gifted 15-year-old treasures Duke offer, plans to visit

Finally, two others who could soon become the next 2021 five-stars to receive an open invitation to become Duke basketball players will be in North Augusta this week:

• Shooting guard Terrence Clarke, a 6-foot-7, 185-pounder who ranks No. 3 and whose length, creative array of moves, and high-energy motor allow him to shine for Expressions Elite (Mass.)
• Power forward Paolo Banchero, a 6-foot-9, 235-pounder who ranks No. 4 and whose basketball IQ, tenacity on both ends, and bullish-yet-refined post moves make him an asset for Seattle Rotary (Wash.)

Yes, whether all the programs taking a backseat to Duke in recruiting as of late like it or not, the unprecedented advantage of having two friendly five-star pledges fueling Duke’s recruiting efforts this week will almost certainly eventually lead to several more music-to-Blue-Devil-ears announcements from 2020 five-stars.

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And probably a few from 2021 studs down the road as well.

Just peachy.

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