Duke basketball sure could use fireworks from last Fourth of July

Picture a Duke basketball recruiting celebration like the one 365 days ago.

In the evening hours of July 4, 2019, Jalen Johnson tweeted his college choice, somewhat out of nowhere. By doing so, the five-star small forward from Wisconsin gave Duke basketball faithful a mood boost just in time for the fireworks.

At the time, the staff in Durham had reeled in one prior 2020 commitment: five-star point guard Jeremy Roach, who had delighted Blue Devils with his decision in early May and is now the prime candidate to direct the backcourt next season. The haul of incoming scholarship freshmen finished at six after the fall additions of two more five-stars, combo guard DJ Steward and center Mark Williams, plus a pair of four-star power forwards in Jaemyn Brakefield and Henry Coleman.

But it was the 6-foot-8, 215-pound Johnson, a versatile force ranking No. 4 on the 247Sports 2020 Composite a year ago, who suddenly provided worrywart Duke fans considerable peace of mind and a substantial dose of excitement.

The similarities to Duke basketball recruiting efforts last year

Like last year, Mike Krzyzewski and his gang enter this Fourth of July with one pledge from rising seniors. That future Blue Devil is also a five-star: Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) small forward AJ Griffin.

Like last year, it would seem the Duke recruiters need to land at least a handful of pieces before the cycle is through. And even though Griffin is quite the catch himself at No. 7 on the 247Sports 2021 Composite, one of Johnson’s former Nike EYBL teammates and a fellow Wisconsinite, Nicolet five-star small forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. (ranks No. 2), would have the power to make Dukies instantly grin ear to ear this Independence Day.

Granted, not only are chances slim for the 6-foot-10 sharpshooter to unveil a destination before fireworks begin, but they also aren’t all that high for the moment to come by summer’s end. That said, Baldwin Jr. has indicated he will not further trim his list, which consists of Duke (the 247Sports Crystal Ball leader) plus Georgetown, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Northwestern, UCLA, Virginia, Wisconsin, and UW-Milwaukee (where his dad coaches).

ALSO READ: Ranking the chances of 10 finalists for Patrick Baldwin Jr.

On top of Baldwin Jr., in decreasing order here of the likelihoods they could commit to Duke this Fourth of July, the Blue Devils remain in battles for five other 2021 talents, all five-stars: Sunrise Christian (Kan.) point guard Kennedy Chandler, Rolling Meadows (Ill.) shooting guard Max Christie, Paul VI Catholic (Va.) shooting guard Trevor Keels, IMG Academy (Fla.) center Charles Bediako, and O’Dea (Wash.) power forward Paolo Banchero.

ALSO READ: Duke target notes ‘good chance’ package deal happens

Now, please note that none of this is to imply any of the names above have a significant shot at committing before the sun goes down. Nevertheless, to properly honor the one-year anniversary of the great news from Johnson, it seems only fitting to drum up some hopeful thinking.

Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more Duke basketball recruiting news and views.