Incoming freshman explains why he committed to Duke basketball program

Duke basketball (Photo by Peyton Williams/Getty Images)
Duke basketball (Photo by Peyton Williams/Getty Images) /
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Incoming freshman Jaemyn Brakefield introduced himself to Duke basketball fans via an episode of The Brotherhood Connect.

As previously talked about on this page, The Brotherhood Connect, a Duke basketball video chat, has gone through a rebirth during the quarantine that everyone has been faced with amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Director of Basketball Operations Nolan Smith had spearheaded the revitalization of the show, and it has brought past and present Blue Devils to reminisce on the times they had in Durham and the latest updates in each of their lives.

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However, the future episodes will be introducing fans to the incoming freshman, and it started with Jaemyn Brakefield.

Brakefield, a 6-foot-8 forward out of Huntington Prep High School, is ranked as the No. 36 overall recruit in the 247 Sports Composite Rankings.

A versatile player and a great passer, Smith asked Brakefield the tough question first: if he could replicate the iconic pass that Grant Hill threw to Christian Laettner in the 1992 NCAA Tournament.

Brakefield also played with incoming Blue Devil Jalen Johnson on the AAU Circuit and said that their games are very similar, but they work well with each other, and he can’t wait to get back on the floor with Johnson.

The Huntington, West Virginia native vowed to showcase his work ethic every day with the Blue Devils and expressed his interest to wear the No. 4 jersey. But since it’s already in the rafters of Cameron Indoor Stadium from JJ Redick, he opted to wear No. 5 and said he hopes to get it in the rafters one day.

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Jaemyn Brakefield said he’s most excited to play in the Dean Dome and asked Nolan Smith if the Blue Devils would still be playing in the Battle 4 Atlantis this season, and Smith said that it’s a waiting game right now but hopefully the team will get to compete in the loaded field.

Brakefield also said that his favorite NBA player is Jayson Tatum and got a special visit from Sean Dockery on The Brotherhood Connect.

ALSO READ: Duke signees have had enough of recruiting rankings

Eager to get on the court, Brakefield said he cannot wait to finally get down to Durham and prepare for the 2020-21 season in hope of bringing a sixth National Championship to Cameron Indoor Stadium.