Duke basketball: Top five reasons for Coach K’s sudden recruiting slump

Explanations for Duke basketball recruiting drought: IFFY ONE-AND-DONES

1. IFFY ONE-AND-DONES

Jabari Parker. Jahlil Okafor. Justise Winslow. Tyus Jones. Brandon Ingram. Harry Giles. Jayson Tatum. Marvin Bagley III. Wendell Carter Jr. Trevon Duval. Zion Williamson. Cam Reddish. RJ Barrett. Vernon Carey Jr.

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What about them? Those are the 14 Blue Devils since 2014 who arrived in Durham with the understanding there would be next to zero chance they would be sticking around for more than one year. Those understandings no doubt helped Mike Krzyzewski and his gang plan for the number of signees they would need for the next season. Also, those understandings no doubt helped each Duke target know about how much competition to expect at a particular position.

As for Duke’s 2020 class, the number who undoubtedly fit that one-and-done description is, at most, one: five-star small forward Jalen Johnson. That leaves five giant question marks in the form of the other five incoming scholarship freshmen: Jeremy Roach, DJ Steward, Jaemyn Brakefield, Henry Coleman, and Mark Williams.

All five rank inside the top 55 on the 247Sports 2020 Composite, but none are among the top 20 (Johnson sits No. 12). Therefore, based on what has happened in recent years with guys throughout the country who have fallen in this range, it’s conceivable that 1) all five could return after next season, 2) all five could depart, or 3) there will be some mix of returnees and departees.

Add to that the uncertainty surrounding whether or not there will be a full 2020-21 season — i.e., some Blue Devils, including sophomore forwards Matthew Hurt and Wendell Moore, might have limited opportunities to further prove their NBA worth. Naturally, all this means that anything resembling promised playing time must be nearly impossible for Coach K and his bunch to deliver to recruits right now.

On the other hand, it also means there is a solid chance that Duke basketball fans could enjoy seeing several former five-star recruits and top-shelf four-stars become experienced veterans and leaders before leaving school. And that, of course, could be quite the blessing in disguise.

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