Duke basketball staff acting fast for decommitted big man

A large Canadian center has reentered the Duke basketball recruiting radar.

George Harris Prep (Ont.) big man Enoch Boakye should be a familiar name to those who closely follow Duke basketball recruiting.

The 6-foot-11, 240-pound four-star was once seen as a prime candidate to receive a 2022 offer from Mike Krzyzewski. Yet the pursuit out of Durham never fully materialized as Boakye instead moved quickly to commit to Michigan State in July after the Spartans snagged the No. 1 recruit in the class, small forward Emoni Bates.

Skip ahead six months and some change.

Boakye, a strongman who currently ranks No. 32 overall on the 247Sports 2022 Composite, announced on Monday through several recruiting outlets that he has 100 percent decommitted from Tom Izzo and his gang in East Lansing.

Also, Boakye listed to SI insider Jason Jordan nine schools that are suddenly showing interest in his overall solid low-post game: Duke, Arizona, Arizona State, Gonzaga, Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Southern Cal, Texas Tech, and Washington State.

At the moment, there has been no report of an offer to Bediako from the Blue Devils.

Looking ahead, the native of Mississauga — same hometown on the outskirts of Toronto as former Duke basketball one-and-done RJ Barrett — explained to Jordan why he is changing course and what he is now looking for in a college destination:

“Just doing a lot of research with my people and watching a lot of games, it looks like [Michigan State] will have a lot of guys staying. I want to go to a place where I have the opportunity to make an impact right away. That’s the No. 1 goal of mine.”

Finally, Boakye hinted that more significant news in his now-open recruitment is likely to arrive shortly:

“I don’t really have a timeline for deciding now. At the same time, I don’t want to waste anyone’s time. I think things will move fast. I think eventually I’ll get to a top three, and then I’ll announce.”

Sizing up the potential Duke basketball target

Because of the pandemic, Enoch Boakye’s high school team is not playing at all this season. But here is the most recent evaluation of the 17-year-old bruiser — who will turn 18 in March and has publicly considered reclassing to 2021 — from 247Sports:

“Talented center with an extremely high upside. Impressive frame with wide shoulders and long arms to go with pretty good hands for a young post. Has legitimate body control and ball skills for the position…force around the basket due to sheer size and motor. Could improve his post moves and touch.”

ALSO READ: Five-star 2021 center implies Blue Devils still have a shot

Coach K and his assistants have yet to officially enter any race on the 2022 trail.

Bookmark Ball Durham for more on Enoch Boakye plus other Duke basketball recruiting news and views.