Duke basketball: Coach K must still like chances with five-star guard

Evidently, Duke basketball has not let up in one of the quieter 2021 races.

Paul VI (Va.) shooting guard Trevor Keels hasn’t named favorites. Plus, the 6-foot-5, 210-pound five-star hasn’t pinpointed a time for deciding on a college. Yet sometimes — as was the case for Rolling Meadows (Ill.) five-star shooting guard Max Christie, a former Duke basketball target who recently committed to Michigan State — a lack of such news can precede sudden major news.

Despite no list of finalists to work from, Rivals insider Corey Evans recently tagged and ranked six contenders for the No. 16 overall prospect on the 247Sports 2021 Composite. At No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, Duke and North Carolina are running in the middle of the pack for Keels — in the eyes of Evans, anyway — behind No. 1 Villanova and No. 2 Virginia but ahead of No. 5 Michigan and No. 6 Ohio State.

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Evans analyzed each school’s perceived standing, pointing out the following about Duke’s steady interest in Keels:

“The Blue Devils offered Keels following a dominant two-game stretch in December, and there were even whispers that he could be close to committing. Instead, he has remained patient with the process, and the Blue Devils have not fallen off in their pursuit.”

In fact, Evans went one step further by suggesting that the loss in the battle for Christie might’ve had something to do with Duke’s heightened push for Keels:

“They just missed on Max Christie, but in actuality, Duke laid off recruiting the five-star in recent weeks and has ramped things up with Keels, who may fit its system and personnel better because of his size and shooting prowess.”

Finally, Evans cited a behind-the-scenes voice that could work in favor of Mike Krzyzewski and his staff:

“Does Duke freshman Jeremy Roach, Keels’ former school and travel teammate, help Duke’s pursuit? Time will tell, but it cannot hurt.”

Of course, it’s worth noting that the Crystal Ball doesn’t yet contain any predictions. Also worth noting, based on the scouting report from Jerry Meyer of 247Sports, here’s what the eventual winner of the Keels prize should expect to receive:

“Tremendous physical strength for a shooting guard. Has length as well. Plays a power game but can score from all three levels. Solid ballhandler. Good passer. Has the strength to be a better rebounder. Adequate defender.”

Other rising seniors on the Duke basketball recruiting radar

Coach K and his crew continue to seek pledges from five more five-stars in Trevor Keels’ class: Sunrise Christian (Kan.) point guard Kennedy Chandler, Montverde (Fla.) small forward Caleb Houstan, Hamilton (Wis.) small forward Patrick Baldwin Jr., O’Dea (Wash.) power forward Paolo Banchero, and IMG (Fla.) center Charles Bediako.

ALSO READ: Patrick Baldwin Jr. returns to where he belongs

Meanwhile, Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) five-star small forward AJ Griffin remains the only 2021 Duke basketball commit.

Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more on Trevor Keels plus other Duke basketball recruiting news and views.