Duke basketball target Jonathan Kuminga responds to reclass question

A recruiting insider asked the high school junior who headlines the Duke basketball wishlist for his thoughts on graduating a year early.

By now, all Duke basketball recruiting junkies and their Kentucky counterparts must be aware of the speculation surrounding a potential reclass from arguably the nation’s No. 1 prospect — regardless of class.

Hand it to Rivals’ Corey Evans for at least bringing up the subject during his recent interview with The Patrick School (N.J.) small forward Jonathan Kuminga.

By the same token, hand it to the 16-year-old who sits atop the 247Sports 2021 Composite for focusing his sights on the present and not allowing widespread hunger for a final answer to the reclass question to dictate the speed at which he makes up his mind.

"“I am not thinking about it right now,” Kuminga told Evans. “I am just focused on my classes and doing all of my stuff. I am not thinking about going to college or anything.”"

So while the 6-foot-9, 220-pound Congo native didn’t nix the idea, fans shouldn’t expect a decision anytime soon. In fact, even if Kuminga does reclass, the announcement may not come much sooner in this cycle than the one in 2017 from Duke basketball one-and-done Marvin Bagley III, who didn’t commit to the Blue Devils until mid-August.

No matter the year, the Blue Devils, who extended an offer in July, would gladly welcome all that Kuminga offers: the strength, length, post moves, inside touch, and rebounding instincts of a big man; the agility, quickness, vision, and handles of a little man; the fire, hops, and explosiveness of only a few men; and the potential to showcase a total package rivaling that of any man (right now, his outside shot requires the most work).

And even though Duke holds a 3-0 lead inside the 247Sports Crystal Ball — picks likely based entirely on gut feelings — Mike Krzyzewski and his staff better have a plan to fend off their usual foes from Kentucky, who have already visited Kuminga twice this month.

As for Kuminga’s response to which suitors he likes best, good luck concocting any theories from what he said to Evans:

"“I have the same feelings for everybody. I feel like everybody gives me the same energy, so I have to like everybody right now, and I am not ready to decide or anything like that. I am just working and making sure that I make the right decision.”"

According to a tweet in August from recruiting insider Adam Zagoria, “Coach K would really like [Kuminga] to reclass and come to Duke for 2020.”

That certainly lines up with the program’s needs. Not only is there a strong possibility that the 2020-21 Duke basketball roster won’t include a single returning big man, but the staff’s top target among 2020 centers, Walker Kessler, rejected Duke in favor of UNC on Sunday.

ALSO READ: Talk of Duke shaking up race for 2020 center

Yes, Kuminga is first and foremost a wing. But he could fill in anytime absolutely anywhere — and more than just hold his own, as explained above.

Currently, Duke’s only 2020 commits are small forward Jalen Johnson, combo guard D.J. Steward, and point guard Jeremy Roach, all five-stars. With likely less than a handful of returning players in Durham this time next year, the class needs to at least double in size.

The only other 2020 talents with offers, for now, are five-star small forward Ziaire Williams, four-star center Mark Williams, and four-star power forward Henry Coleman.

ALSO READ: Pivotal announcement awaits Blue Devils

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