Potential abounds for a four-star recruit now on the Duke basketball radar.
The Duke basketball magicians are known for making new five-star talent appear in Durham each year. When it comes to the 2022 cycle, Mike Krzyzewski and his gang might have up their sleeves a trick they pull off on occasion: targeting a four-star who becomes a five-star by the time he signs.
It worked with DJ Steward, an incoming Blue Devil guard who is now a five-star prospect after jumping from No. 108 overall on the 247Sports 2020 Composite a year ago to his current No. 25 ranking.
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By reaching out on Monday to Richardson (Texas) small forward Rylan Griffen, No. 76 on the 247Sports 2022 Composite, Duke might be eyeing a similar hidden gem. Not only did Krzyzewski assign to the job his top recruiter, Jon Scheyer, but also the call was the longest of the four-star’s busy day, as the 6-foot-5, 175-pound sharpshooter noted to Stock Risers insider Jake Weingarten.
Monday was the first day that college coaches could directly contact rising juniors. Griffen, who holds a dozen offers but none from the ACC, also heard from Texas, Kansas, Illinois, Vanderbilt, Texas Tech, Baylor, Kansas State, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Arizona.
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Eric Bossi of Rivals, a site that recently bumped Griffen from No. 53 to No. 29 in the class, gave his two cents on the budding talent:
“Coming off of a season during which he averaged 22 points, five rebounds, and four assists…Rylan Griffen is one of the hottest prospects from the class of 2022. A big-time athlete who is armed with a dangerous pull-up jumper.”
Here’s what Griffen (wearing No. 3 in the above video) said to Bossi about his growth and mentality:
“I really tried to elevate my shot when people’s hands are in my face this year, and it really helped me score in multiple ways…I’m working on getting a lot stronger so I can easily get into the paint and finish…I think should know I’ll do anything they ask me to win the game. I like to win, and it feels good winning, so I’ll do anything to make that happen.”
Duke has yet to extend offers to 2022 prospects.
Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more Duke basketball recruiting news and views.