Duke basketball: Five-star recruit notes ‘strong relationship with Coach K’

A Duke basketball target is examining his choices and pondering a decision.

Most insiders do not see Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski and chief assistant Jon Scheyer as the favorites to land Montverde (Fla.) senior Caleb Houstan. However, the five-star small forward himself continues to dish out praise for the Blue Devils, as he did this week in his latest SI blog:

“They have a great history of getting guys to the NBA, and I have a strong relationship with Coach K and Coach Scheyer. I believe that they would really help me get better and prepare me for the next level.”

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Houstan, who ranks No. 8 overall on the 247Sports 2021 Composite and has held a Duke basketball offer since June, also noted the strengths of the other three suitors who made his final four two weeks ago: Alabama, Michigan, and Virginia. In doing so, the 6-foot-8, 205-pound sharpshooter perhaps further fueled the general belief that Alabama is the frontrunner:

“They have a style of play that I could really see myself doing well in. They shoot a lot of threes in their system, and I could see myself developing and playing good minutes from the start. I feel like I could make an impact early.”

Also in Houstan’s blog, the 17-year-old Canadian addressed the final step in ultimately choosing a destination and a probable timeframe for doing so:

“What’s next for me is to continue to build on the relationships I have established with each of the schools. I also want to get a concrete sense of my role on each of the teams and within their offense…I don’t really have a set time to commit, but I’d like to try and get it done before my season officially starts, which would be mid to late November.”

So it’s not out of the question that Houstan will make up his mind just in time for the early signing period, Nov. 11-18.

For now, the 247Sports Crystal Ball for Houstan continues to sit empty of expert picks. Again, though, Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats, who has emerged as a bonafide recruiting force this cycle, appears to be in the best position to reel in the versatile talent.

Might a loaded Duke basketball roster be a deterrent to Caleb Houstan?

The Duke basketball coaches have notable experience when it comes to prolific scorers from Mississauga, Ont., who have also played for powerhouse Montverde — see RJ Barrett. That said, they may have a tough time convincing Houstan to share playing time and touches with their current 2021 pledges and potentially one or two snipers remaining on their wishlist.

See, Coach K and his gang already hold commitments from five-star small forward AJ Griffin and five-star power forward Paolo Banchero. Plus, Duke basketball offers are still on the table to three others outside of Houstan, all of whom are five-stars: shooting guard Trevor Keels, small forward Patrick Baldwin Jr., and center Charles Bediako.

Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more on Caleb Houstan in addition to other Duke basketball recruiting news and views.