Duke basketball: Prediction proving true for next Blue Devils commit

With another announcement date now set, the Duke basketball 2020 class looks to include a third pledge by September’s end.

Trinity Episcopal School (Va.) power forward Henry Coleman was at his father’s alma mater, Virginia Tech, over the weekend. Two weeks prior, on the same day the Duke basketball staff began hosting the 6-foot-7, 220-pound four-star for his only other official visit, this site offered the following forecast:

"“Ball Durham now officially predicts Coleman to commit to Duke by the end of September.”"

So far, so good. Coleman tweeted on Monday his plan to announce his college choice on Sept. 27 at 3:30 p.m. EST from his high school. Of course, the college-choice part of the above prediction proving true would be most vital for a program that may have as few as zero returning big men on its 2020-21 roster.

Furthermore, now that more than two months have passed since reeling in the second of the nation’s first two 2020 five-stars off the board — point guard Jeremy Roach and small forward Jalen Johnson — the Blue Devils have lost some momentum on the recruiting trail.

Coleman would serve as an ideal boost. By thriving in his role as a tenacious rebounder, strong finisher, heady passer, and aggressive defender — similar in style and physique to former Duke basketball national champions Nate James and Amile Jefferson — the 17-year-old has climbed 34 notches over the past year to No. 40 on the 247Sports 2020 Composite.

Currently, all 11 Crystal Ball picks for Coleman are in line with this site’s prediction. In addition to Duke and Virginia Tech, his other finalists are N.C. State, Ohio State, and Michigan; however, based on the timing of his announcement and his lack of other official visits, only the Hokies likely stand even a remote chance at snatching the potential four-year college player away from the Blue Devils.

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And if Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski has his way, Coleman will not only commit, but he’ll also trigger more elite targets to follow suit.

"“[Coach K] said that they feel they can bring in a really good class,” Coleman told 247Sports in August. “That includes guys like me, [four-star center] Mark Williams, Jalen Johnson, Jeremy Roach, [five-star combo guard] D.J. Steward, and maybe even [five-star center] Walker Kessler to do some damage…”"

ALSO READ: Clock ticking on Blue Devils for 2020 five-star

Outside of those guys — who all plan to sign in November — the only other 2020 prospect who holds an outstanding Duke basketball offer is five-star small forward Ziaire Williams, an expected spring signee.

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