Duke basketball: Blue Devils reach out to productive transfer

The Duke basketball staff seems to be on the lookout for experienced depth.

Let’s just assume Wendell Moore, DJ Steward, and Jeremy Roach return but that Jordan Goldwire declines the extra year of eligibility the NCAA has handed out across the board. In this scenario, the projected 2021-22 Duke basketball roster would seem to need another piece on the perimeter.

Furthermore, the Blue Devils do not currently boast a backcourt prize in their two-deep 2021 class, consisting of five-star forwards Paolo Banchero and AJ Griffin. Nor do they own the 247Sports Crystal Ball lead for any undecided recruits.

With that in mind, it makes sense that Mike Krzyzewski and his assistants are reportedly showing interest in one of the nation’s latest high-profile names to enter what is now approaching a 500-deep transfer portal.

A 22-year-old hearing from the Duke basketball recruiting team

According to a Monday evening tweet from recruiting insider Andrew Slater, in the hours since the day’s earlier report of Aljami Durham’s transfer and intention to take advantage of the extra eligibility, the former four-year Indiana combo guard heard from at least 10 schools: Duke, Kansas, LSU, Michigan State, Nebraska, Providence, St. John’s, TCU, Texas Tech, and Villanova.

On Tuesday, Al Durham — certainly an apt last name for potentially concluding his college ball in Durham — confirmed his transfer via his own Twitter account. This comes after the Hoosiers announced on Monday that they are parting ways with head coach Archie Miller following the program’s 12-15 final record this season.

Durham averaged only 8.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists for his career at Indiana. However, the 6-foot-4, 185-pound durable producer steadily improved from one season to the next.

Also, keep in mind that Durham has been a full-time starter in Bloomington going back to his sophomore year. In two meetings against Duke during his first two years as a Hoosier, he combined for 14 points on 6-for-14 shooting, 2-for-6 from three.

And as a senior, the former three-star recruit out of Georgia averaged 11.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 38.8 percent from the field, including 38.0 percent beyond the arc, plus 78.6 percent from the charity stripe.

There’s been no word yet of an offer to Al Durham from the Duke basketball coaches.