Maybe UNC didn’t get memo about Duke basketball recruiting target

Does a UNC call mean Duke basketball still has a shot with a shared target?

In one sense, by conducting a virtual meeting on Thursday with Sunrise Christian (Kan.) point guard Kennedy Chandler, the North Carolina staff is possibly giving hope to its Duke basketball counterpart. After all, one insider after another has hinted the five-star is on the verge of committing to Tennessee, so the mere fact that at least one other suitor isn’t backing off just yet potentially suggests the prognosticators jumped the gun.

In another sense, the fellas in Chapel Hill could be doing their rivals a favor. With the attention, which Jake Weingarten of Stock Risers reported and which would be uncomfortable if the UT speculation is valid, Roy Williams may politely force Chandler’s hand. In essence, it’s conceivable the UNC coach will, in effect, nudge the Memphis native to expedite his presumed announcement, thereby prompting Mike Krzyzewski to look elsewhere for a capable floor general.

Maybe, though, Williams and his crew either didn’t get the memo about the rumored Volunteer lock or simply refuse to put any stock in such chatter. It is worth noting that there has been no reported contact between Krzyzewski’s bunch and Chandler ever since the Tennessee noise found legs.

ALSO READ: Finalists bowing out of the battle for five-star?

If the winner of the Chandler sweepstakes isn’t actually a done deal after all, then there’s no doubt the 6-foot-1, 165-pound smooth operator — No. 11 overall and No. 1 at his position on the 247Sports 2021 Composite — is worth the time of his entire top five: Duke, Kentucky, Memphis, North Carolina, and Tennessee. And wherever the 17-year-old lands, his speed, handles, vision, and finishing ability are sure to serve a program well, even if only for one season.

The 2021 Duke basketball outlook outside of Kennedy Chandler

Currently, the Blue Devils still have the top 2021 commit in the country in Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) small forward AJ Griffin, a five-star who ranks No. 6 and made his decision way back in November.

Yet the recruiters in Durham have lost a touch of momentum. Rolling Meadows (Ill.) five-star shooting guard Max Christie picked Michigan State over Duke three weeks ago. The Blue Devils then suddenly lost the Crystal Ball lead for Chandler. Presently, they are the perceived favorites in only one race, albeit for the nation’s No. 1 prospect in Hamilton (Wis.) five-star small forward Patrick Baldwin Jr., who two years ago became the all-time youngest recipient of a Coach K offer.

Others still weighing the Blue Devil option are also all five-stars: Paul VI (Va.) shooting guard Trevor Keels, Montverde (Fla.) small forward Caleb Houstan, IMG (Fla.) center Charles Bediako, and O’Dea (Wash.) power forward Paolo Banchero, who could wind up at Tennessee as well if Chandler — his noted buddy and realistic package-deal partner — indeed goes that route.

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