Duke basketball: Feisty 2021 PG attracts Blue Devils attention

The on-court conductor for the reigning Peach Jam champions may be closing in on a Duke basketball offer.

Mike Krzyzewski seems to take a little extra time when deciding on top candidates to become Duke basketball point guards.

So it’s no shock the 72-year-old thus far only has 2021 offers out to a shooting guard, five-star Max Christie, and four forwards: five-stars Patrick Baldwin Jr., Jonathan Kuminga, A.J. Griffin, and Paolo Banchero.

ALSO READ: Blue Devils enter monumental 2021 recruiting battle

It’d be no shock, though, if the first 2021 point guard to receive a Duke offer is Kennedy Chandler out of Briarcrest Christian in Memphis (the current 2021-22 roster outlook shows a need for either a backup or a replacement for five-star 2020 point guard Jeremy Roach, who committed to the Blue Devils in May).

After all, Chandler has been raking in offers from nearly every other blue-blood ever since guiding MOKAN Elite (Kan.) to the title at July’s Peach Jam — with averages of 13.8 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.5 steals. Also, the 2021 class contains a slim selection of top-notch true point guards (zero among the top 15 on the 247Sports Composite).

Recently, the 6-foot-1, 165-pound four-star with a No. 28 ranking has been hearing from at least one member of the Duke staff. Chandler told Rivals’ Krysten Peek last week that Nolan Smith has been texting him. And a tweet from recruiting insider Andrew Slater later confirmed the interest from the Blue Devils.

As for the former Duke basketball guard Chandler most resembles, one name stands out: Chris Duhon. Like Duhon, he’s scrappy. Like Duhon, he chases down loose balls and drives to the rim with impressive zip and reckless abandon; plus, he finishes well at the hoop and has an eye for open teammates.

However, also like Duhon, Chandler’s outside shot is certainly neither the quickest nor the most accurate (14-for-45 from deep across 19 EYBL games this year).

Chandler’s offer count is now up to about two dozen, but don’t expect any lists or a final decision anytime soon (he told Peek he’ll soon start scheduling some fall visits). But do expect Memphis head coach and new recruiting hotshot Penny Hardaway to pose a serious threat to anyone trying to sway Chandler away from his hometown (his Crystal Ball contains no picks as of yet).

ALSO READ: Top three threats to Duke recruiting

Duke basketball fans should remember Chandler’s name, though, for he seems to display roughly what Coach K looks for in his point guards.

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