Three chances to watch future Duke basketball players this weekend
By Matt Giles
Huntington Prep (W.Va.) vs. Roselle Catholic (N.J.)
Duke signee: Jaemyn Brakefield
When: Friday at 7:50 p.m.
Where: WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, W.Va.
Event: Cancer Research Classic
TV: ESPN3
Of the Duke basketball staff’s six 2020 commitments between May and the signing period in November, the one from Huntington Prep (W.Va.) power forward Jaemyn Brakefield was the least expected — required no prior official visit and came within 24 hours of his receiving an offer from Mike Krzyzewski.
The 6-foot-9, 210-pound four-star could prove to be a monumental steal. Two years ago, Brakefield ranked No. 2 overall on the 247Sports 2020 Composite. Though he has since dropped to No. 40, highlights from the first portion of his senior campaign — including a few vicious dunks and sizzling displays from beyond the arc — suggest his stock may soon rise.
Duke basketball fans can get a sense of how the 19-year-old fares against skilled big men by watching how he handles the test down low on Friday night from Rochelle Catholic (N.J.) center Cliff Omoruyi, a 6-foot-11, 230-pound four-star who boasts a No. 48 composite ranking and whose Crystal Ball forecasts him to land at either Arizona State or Kentucky.
Less than 24 hours later, Brakefield will face another daunting challenge…