Duke basketball might not survive cuts from five-star guard

A small amount of effort may not be enough for one Duke basketball pursuit.

Three months until the scheduled start of his junior season of high school ball, IMG Academy (Fla.) point guard Jaden Bradley already holds more than two dozen offers. Most are from major conferences. Most every blueblood is on that list. However, the Duke basketball coaches have yet to officially enter the race for the 6-foot-3, 175-pound five-star — or any other 2022 recruits, for that matter — despite scouting him last winter and then reaching out to him in June.

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Now, consider the breakneck pace at which elite preps, in general, have been flying off the board this summer. Heck, roughly half of the top 100 on the 247Sports 2021 Composite has already announced commitments. And two of 2022’s top five have done the same. So the Blue Devils could be in trouble if they don’t soon decide which 2022 names they want to prioritize and then at least make those guys aware of their feelings via offers.

After all, in Bradley’s SI blog on Thursday, the roadrunner floor general noted that several programs have been persistent of late. Presumably to give his phone a bit of a breather, the No. 7 overall prospect on the 247Sports 2022 Composite — No. 1 at his position — explained his plan to name favorites before this month’s end:

“My recruitment has been mostly talking to a lot of the same coaches daily. Now, I’m really getting to know them, just talking about everyday stuff … I’ll probably get with my family and talk about cutting my list down a little before I head off to IMG on August 27. Just to get a better handle on the schools and building stronger relationships to make the best decision.”

In the intro to Bradley’s blog, SI recruiting expert Jason Jordan put into words the buzz surrounding the Charlotte-area native, a likely future one-and-done and potential lottery pick:

“[He] combines a high basketball IQ with elite scoring and playmaking ability. Last season, Bradley led Cannon School to a state title and won N.C. Player of the Year, averaging 23 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds a game…he’s headed to IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) with everyone from North Carolina to Kentucky to Auburn to Michigan, among many others, all giving chase.”

Is there a frontrunner for the potential Duke basketball target?

At this time, there are no 247Sports Crystal Ball or Rivals FutureCast picks in for Bradley. And he hasn’t said when he’ll choose a college. Yet given the North Carolina connection, the chatter among various insiders, and the fact 247Sports tags only UNC as “warm” in the “interest” column for the 16-year-old, it’s safe to say the Tar Heels will survive the upcoming cuts.

As for Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski and his gang, they may have work to do — and quick — if they hope to be in the mix.

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