Duke basketball: Best insta-offense lineup for 2020-21 Blue Devils

Instant-offense Duke basketball lineup: THE HEARTY HANDYMAN

For one, Jaemyn Brakefield is a former teammate of Jalen Johnson on the EYBL circuit. Bonus points for that, for sure. No, make that double bonus points in light of the influx of fresh faces coupled with the fact the players still have not touched down in Durham. Yup, the Duke basketball staff ought to gladly welcome whatever pregrown chemistry exists between the newcomers.

As the mixtape below suggests, Brakefield is adept at running the floor with the ball in his hands and blitzing toward the basket while displaying a most ferocious temperament. The native of Jackson, Miss., who attended Huntington Prep in West Virginia, also possesses a relatively reliable outside jumper for his position and seems to have the ready-made instincts for finishing alley-oops.

Add in his underrated athleticism and something-to-prove demeanor. It all seems to gel with the rest of this high-octane group. Actually, while “high-octane” is certainly an accurate descriptor for Brakefield and the three previously named components to this lineup, the jury is still out in regards to whether it suits the fifth guy here. And the success of this attacking bunch would likely hinge on the answer to that question…