The three Duke basketball newcomers most likely to contribute

The Brotherhood is anxiously awaiting the arrival of several new Duke basketball players, but which three will likely make the biggest impact right away?

Coach Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke basketball program welcome seven scholarship newcomers next season. As has become routine with all the turnover in Durham during the one-and-done era, there is much speculation about what the Blue Devils’ rotation will look like come March Madness. With so many new faces and skillsets, which newbies will make the biggest impact on Coach K Court during the 2020-21 campaign?

There seem to be three guarantees and a probably heading into the Blue Devils’ new basketball season. Senior combo guard Jordan Goldwire, sophomore power forward Matthew Hurt, and sophomore small forward Wendell Moore seem destined to contribute as starters or with significant minutes off the bench. It could be argued that junior small forward Joey Baker may see an increase in his minutes on the wing as well.

ALSO READ: Three Duke greats for Wendell Moore to study this offseason

So then, in addition to these four, which newcomers to the Blue Devils will stand out from the rest in terms of playing time and production? The candidates consist of big man Patrick Tape, a graduate transfer from Columbia, and six incoming recruits: Paul VI Catholic (Va.) point guard Jeremy Roach, Whitney Young (Ill.) combo guard DJ Steward, Nicolet (Wis.) small forward Jalen Johnson, Trinity Episcopal (Va.) power forward Henry Coleman, Huntington Prep (W.Va.) power forward Jaemyn Brakefield, and IMG Academy (Fla.) center Mark Williams.

Let’s tip this off with an obvious pick, also known as the highest-ranked member of Duke’s 2020 recruiting class…