Insider forecasts Duke basketball to land coveted 2021 prospect

The Duke basketball backcourt would contain a treasure two seasons from now if a recent prediction proves true.

Briarcrest Christian (Tenn.) point guard Kennedy Chandler once revealed to 247Sports one of his dreams: a Duke basketball offer. On Dec. 10, the wish came true for the No. 15 prospect on the 247Sports 2021 Composite.

Shortly thereafter, the 6-foot-1, 165-pound five-star scheduled two unofficial visits coinciding with Duke games and ESPN College Gameday appearances: the loss to Louisville in Durham on Jan. 18 and the upcoming meeting with North Carolina in Chapel Hill at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.

On Jan. 10, Chandler announced 10 favorites: Duke, UNC, Tennessee, Kentucky, Memphis, Michigan, Florida State, Kansas, Ole Miss, and Southern Cal. And the first six, as listed here, overlap with the 10-deep list of the friend he has frequently talked about teaming up with in college: O’Dea (Wash.) five-star power forward Paolo Banchero.

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No expert at 247Sports has yet to enter a Crystal Ball pick for Chandler. However, most chatter portrays the Blue Devils as the frontrunners. And on Wednesday, Rivals chief insider Corey Evans published his personal prediction:

“While there are no signs that Kennedy Chandler is near committing, most of the talk with the five-star has been with Duke as his eventual landing spot. Now, there is still a whole lot of time to go before he decides and his commitment will not come easy…

“Tennessee is definitely a heavy contender, as is Kentucky, and it’s never smart to underestimate North Carolina. Don’t forget about the local Memphis program that has practically enrolled all of the top talent that the city has produced since Penny Hardaway took over…but if I had to make a prediction, Duke would be it for the nation’s top point guard in the 2021 class.”

Chandler’s style and build should bring to mind former Duke basketball floor general Jason Williams. He’s aggressive as a driver and defender. Plus, he exhibits soft touch both in the lane and from the perimeter. Finally, he’s quick, crafty, and decisive with the ball in his hands.

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Duke has already reeled in a commitment from a 2021 five-star in Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) small forward A.J. Griffin.

Outside of Chandler and Banchero, other juniors holding Duke basketball offers are Rolling Meadows (Ill.) five-star shooting guard Max Christie, Paul VI Catholic (Va.) four-star shooting guard Trevor Keels, Hamilton (Wis.) five-star small forward Patrick Baldwin Jr., The Patrick School (N.J.) five-star small forward Jonathan Kuminga, and Andrews Osborne Academy (Ohio) four-star center Charles Bediako.

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