Who will become the Duke basketball crew’s next recruiting prize, and when?
The 2021 Duke basketball class, which probably needs to be four deep in the end, already contains ideal starting centerpieces in the form of two top 10 five-stars on the 247Sports 2021 Composite: O’Dea (Wash.) power forward Paolo Banchero, who ranks No. 3 overall, and Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) small forward AJ Griffin, who ranks No. 6.
But with the commitment to Michigan on Friday from Montverde (Fla.) small forward Caleb Houstan, a five-star who ranks No. 8, there are now only three current high school seniors who have neither accepted nor rejected their Duke basketball offers.
All three are top 25 five-stars: Hamilton (Wis.) small forward Patrick Baldwin Jr., who ranks No. 1; Paul VI (Va.) shooting guard Trevor Keels, who ranks No. 16; and IMG (Fla.) center Charles Bediako, who ranks No. 23.
All three have the Blue Devils among their finalists. Also, all three have insiders believing that they could come off the board in time for the quickly approaching early signing period, Nov. 11-18.
So let’s now look at all three, beginning with the least likely to wind up in Durham. And we’ll finish here with the one Ball Durham sees giving Mike Krzyzewski and his assistants the news they want to hear in November (note: the one in the middle may or may not join the Duke basketball family, but the forecast here is simply that he won’t be the next to do so)…
When will Duke basketball target Charles Bediako make up his mind?
THE FINALISTS: Charles Bediako plans to pick from five favorites in Alabama, Duke, Michigan, Ohio State, and Texas. The 6-foot-11, 225-pound improving big man had 10 schools on his list until early July when he cut Baylor, Maryland, Memphis, Southern Cal, and Tennessee.
SCOUTING REPORT (from Jerry Meyer of 247Sports): “Has a big wingspan. Needs to gain mass and strength and has a frame to do so. Limited athlete and not a leaper. Has good hands. Often has to take an extra step or pivot to gather himself. Has nice touch on his jump hook. Effective around the rim but needs to expand skill set. Positional defender and rebounder.”
INSIDER TAKE (from Eric Bossi of 247Sports): “Bediako hasn’t yet announced a commitment date, but word behind the scenes has been that he should decide by the end of the early signing period. An early decision isn’t a lock, but it also shouldn’t go too much beyond the end of the period (Nov. 18th) if he doesn’t sign early. Alabama looks to be in really good shape for the imposing post presence from Canada.”
PREDICTION: Charles Bediako will announce his decision at some point within the next three weeks, and he’ll do as Bossi and the entire 247Sports Crystal Ball expect by delighting the red-hot recruiting staff of Alabama head coach Nate Oats.
When will Duke basketball target Patrick Baldwin Jr. make up his mind?
THE FINALISTS: Though Patrick Baldwin Jr. noted a few months ago that he may again eliminate some suitors before ultimately advertising his college choice, he hasn’t done so yet. The 6-foot-10, 205-pound sharpshooting phenom’s list still consists of Duke, Georgetown, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Northwestern, UCLA, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
SCOUTING REPORT (from NBA Draft Room): “Baldwin is a big wing/forward who excels at shooting the rock. He’s got such a smooth game for a player his size…deft ball-handling ability and a lethal jump shot. He’s not the most explosive athlete you’ll ever see, but he’s got great size, good strength, and more than enough agility/quickness to hold his own at the highest levels of competition. With shooting at a premium, Baldwin is a tailor-made modern-day stretch-four.”
INSIDER TAKE (from Eric Bossi of 247Sports): “Though Baldwin cut his list down to 10 some time ago, there are only a few programs out there with a realistic shot of landing him…There is a chance that he could decide in time for the early signing period but recently indicated his choice will come within a month or two after the 11th. The most likely options for Baldwin at this point appear to be either Duke or playing for his father at Milwaukee.”
PREDICTION: Patrick Baldwin Jr., who has held a Blue Devil offer for almost 30 months now, won’t decide on a winner any earlier than his 18th birthday on Nov. 18. Yet no matter when his decision day does arrive, Duke basketball fans will be left smiling.
When will Duke basketball target Trevor Keels make up his mind?
THE FINALISTS: Trevor Keels has only ever put out one list. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound versatile two-guard, who last season starred alongside now-Duke basketball freshman point guard Jeremy Roach at Paul VI in Fairfax, Va., made his list public in early September. It is a relatively short one: Duke, Villanova, and Virginia.
SCOUTING REPORT (from Jerry Meyer of 247Sports): “Tremendous physical strength for a shooting guard. Has length as well. Highly competitive with an impressive basketball IQ. Plays a power game but can score from all three levels. Solid ball-handler. Good passer. Has the strength to be a better rebounder. Solid defender.”
INSIDER TAKE (from Eric Bossi of 247Sports): “The five-star shooting guard has been sitting on his final three of Duke, Villanova, and Virginia for some time now. There are valid cases to be made for all three of his finalists, and Keels’ toughness would be welcomed wherever he lands. A decision appears to be coming soon…it is just a matter of whether he decides during or shortly after the early period.”
PREDICTION: Without first providing an announcement date — i.e., staying secretive up until the final minute of the three-team battle — Trevor Keels will suddenly unveil his college choice at some point before the early signing period concludes. And Duke basketball recruiting junkies will be happy campers as a result.
Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more Duke basketball recruiting news and views.