The rumors regarding Duke basketball’s three remaining 2021 targets
By Matt Giles
The latest on Duke basketball recruiting target Trevor Keels
Trevor Keels, who ranks No. 16 overall on the 247Sports 2021 Composite and starred as a versatile two-guard in the Paul VI backcourt last season alongside current Duke freshman point guard Jeremy Roach, has always been relatively quiet when it comes to speaking to insiders and providing hints about his future.
Yet back in early September, the 6-foot-5, 210-pound perimeter weapon did hint at an impending decision by cutting his list of suitors to a final three of Duke, Villanova, and Virginia. That sparked three 247Sports Crystal Ball picks — still the only ones for Keels — all favoring the Blue Devils yet all coming from Duke insiders.
But now, more than two months later, it seems folks are about as uncertain as ever when trying to predict both the destination of Keels and the month in which the announcement will arrive from the sturdy sharpshooter.
Perhaps Keels is waiting to watch most of the 2020-21 college season, in hopes of determining which underclassman guards for the Blue Devils, Wildcats, and Cavaliers will be headed for the NBA come spring.
Earlier this month, though, 247Sports insider Travis Branham took a stab at predicting perhaps the most unpredictable undecided 2021 battle:
“Right now, it’s close with all three, but Duke and Villanova have appeared to gain some separation from Virginia. Ultimately, given the Paul VI and Jeremy Roach ties, I’d give the edge to the Blue Devils. When that decision will be made sounds to be later rather than sooner, but like [surprise Duke commit Paolo Banchero], the expectation is not always the case.”
On Monday, Rivals insider Dan McDonald chimed in with a similar outlook on the ongoing chase for Keels:
“Keels released a top three of Duke, Villanova, and Virginia back in September, and not much has changed since then. There is no timetable for a decision. Let’s give Duke a slight edge over Villanova in this one for now.”
Predicted landing spot for Trevor Keels: Duke