Duke basketball: Predicting landing spot for No. 1 recruit

Examining finalists for Duke basketball target Jonathan Kuminga: DUKE

Duke basketball fans still holding out hope for Jonathan Kuminga to bring his talents to Durham should cross their fingers the game-changer player stays put at the prep level for one more season. Why? Well, the answer is two-fold:

1. Mike Krzyzewski and his cohorts appear to be happy with their 2020-21 roster as it is, evident in the fact they are not currently zooming in on more potential additions; plus, they have had no contact of note with Kuminga ever since driving all of 20 miles to Raleigh five months ago to watch him play at the John Wall Holiday Invitational.
2. The 2021-22 season is likely to coincide with the beginning of a new era in college athletics when student-athletes can profit from their name, image, and likeness; like it or not, Duke’s sustained dominance over all other programs in the exposure department should amount to serious competition to the salary of $500K or so that the G League is probably prepared to offer Kuminga.

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Of course, even if Kuminga remains in 2021, the lack of a visit from him — not to mention the seemingly nonexistent interest from the Blue Devils of late — doesn’t bode well for those Dukies dying to see the top-shelf baller in a Duke basketball jersey. It could be that the teen wisely put Duke on his final list primarily as a way to attract more eyes to his final announcement.

Finally, it’s time to project who will win the Kuminga sweepstakes (and when)…