Duke basketball: Another 2022 recruit expresses Blue Devil fandom
By Matt Giles
Duke basketball recruiting efforts should include a call to Eric Dailey Jr.
Go ahead and add IMG (Fla.) power forward Eric Dailey Jr. to the growing number of 2022 prospects who have admitted to growing up as Duke basketball fans. The top-tier four-star recently gave a firm answer when Joseph Tipton of Tipton Edits asked in an interview whether he had a childhood dream school:
“Yes, I did. It was Duke.”
No wavering there.
Dailey ranks No. 25 on the 247Sports 2022 Composite but has risen nine spots since November. And hooping is obviously in his blood. His namesake father starred at Western Carolina and then TCU in the early ’90s before a 10-year pro career overseas. Plus, his mother, Shell Dailey, played at Texas before coaching at the NCAA and WNBA level; now, she oversees the girls’ team at IMG.
Speaking of IMG, Dailey was a teammate last season to current Duke basketball freshman center Mark Williams. That, of course, could prove helpful to the coaches in Durham should they eventually decide to pursue the 6-foot-8, 220-pound native of Bradenton, Fla.
For now, though, there are still no Blue Devil offers out to the loaded crop of high school juniors.
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Meanwhile, Dailey boasts about 10 offers. He told Tipton he’d like one from both Duke and Florida State, also noting that he is “still waiting on other schools” to enter the race before announcing a list of favorites.
Two brief scouting reports on the Duke basketball follower
According to NBA Draft Room, Eric Dailey Jr. is a “possible first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft or 2024 NBA Draft.” The site also provided the following assessment of his game:
“A big, strong forward with broad shoulders and a lot of bounce. Is already an excellent finisher and above-the-rim player.”
Over at Rivals two weeks ago, recruiting analyst Rob Cassidy explained why Dailey’s prep ranking is deserving of another bump:
“I was struck by his motor and effort on the defensive end during a preseason event in Orlando. His jumper continues to improve, which will allow him to create matchup issues on the college level. It’s clear Dailey has also put in work in the weight room over the summer, as he continues to add muscle.”
At a minimum, Eric Dailey Jr. looks like another 2022 talent Duke should be keeping an eye on.
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