Duke basketball: Sizing up the 10 finalists for five-star big man
By Matt Giles
Can Duke basketball come out on top for its only target among 2021 centers?
One look at the 2020-21 Duke basketball roster says Mike Krzyzewski needs to haul in one post presence for the season after next. Patrick Tape, a 6-foot-10 grad transfer, will have expired his eligibility. Plus, there’s no guarantee that incoming 7-footer Mark Williams will stay two years.
So it makes sense the staff in Durham has been steadily pursuing five-star Charles Bediako ever since extending an offer to the 6-foot-11, 220-pound center in December. What is peculiar, however, is the Blue Devils have not officially entered the race for any other 2021 recruits at his position — not even some three-star.
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Maybe Krzyzewski is just high on his chances with Bediako, who hails from Toronto and will be at IMG (Fla.) for his senior campaign. If so, then the 41st-year Duke basketball head coach stands to enjoy the services of a mobile 18-year-old who has added to his arsenal while climbing 70 spots the past 13 months to No. 20 on the 247Sports 2021 Composite.
Seeing that Bediako took a step toward a decision by recently naming his top 10, it’s conceivable an announcement may come by summer’s end. Yet despite no timetable, considering the importance of his recruitment to Duke, it’s worth examining each finalist. Taking into account what insiders and analysts are saying, let’s rank the schools in order of how hopeful they should be…