Duke basketball: Three most intriguing 2022 recruits on Coach K’s radar

Tantalizing 2022 talents receiving Duke basketball interest: JJ Starling

JJ Starling’s key attribute: SHOOTING

Obviously, Baker (N.Y.) combo guard JJ Starling has the perfect first-name initials for a Duke basketball sharpshooter. And similar to the all-time leading scorer for the Blue Devils, JJ Redick, he has a knack for finding creases in the defense and curling off screens before pulling the trigger on a 3-point masterpiece.

For some odd reason, though, 247Sports does not even rank or rate Starling, who only holds a handful of offers so far, notably from Alabama, UConn, St. John’s, Syracuse, and Wake Forest. However, Rivals and ESPN are evidently well aware of the 6-foot-3, 170-pound talent, both tagging him a four-star and putting him inside the top 100 among his 2022 peers.

Plus, not only does Starling boast the type of sweet stroke and quick release that Duke basketball fans have grown to love — arguably the best shooter in the class — but he also seems smitten with the early attention he has received from the Blue Devils. Here’s what the light-footed 16-year-old said earlier this week during his appearance on The Season Ticket Hoops With Us podcast:

“A big school that came in contact with me is Duke. And I was surprised to get that [call]. Also, they said they are very interested.”