Despite those stirring up doubt, a Duke basketball recruit is Durham-bound.
It’s not exactly clear where the recent G League rumors began with respect to incoming Duke basketball freshman Paolo Banchero. But a wise guesstimate would be somewhere within the state of Kentucky.
After all, the Blue Devils’ recruiting rivals in Lexington were one of the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorites back in August when the O’Dea (Wash.) five-star power forward suddenly and unexpectedly announced his commitment to the perceived underdogs in Durham.
Yes, it makes sense that some folks are still refusing to envision the 2021-22 National Player of the Year candidate in a Duke jersey.
Jealousy is a disease. Get well soon, Wildcats.
In the meantime, to the dismay of the drama-concocting outsiders — this isn’t even to mention the “Mike Krzyzewski is retiring” talk seeming to come from “The Bluegrass State” earlier this week — Banchero looks 100 percent ready to head to the land of Blue Devils in a couple of weeks.
And in case any Dukies felt uncertainty after crossing paths with ill-informed chatterboxes on social media and message boards, the 6-foot-11, 250-pound versatile bruiser emphatically dismissed the nonsense via his Twitter account on Friday:
dear world, i am officially putting the g league rumors to rest🤣 https://t.co/MASxVgnxBe
— Paolo Banchero (@Pp_doesit) May 14, 2021
So that’s that.
Paolo Banchero headlining loaded Duke basketball recruiting class
In addition to Paolo Banchero, who recently rose to No. 2 on the 247Sports 2021 Composite and is a projected 2022 lottery pick, Mike Krzyzewski is set to welcome two more five-star prospects who are among the top 20 in the nation. Those two are Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) small forward AJ Griffin, who ranks No. 15, and Paul VI (Va.) shooting guard Trevor Keels, who ranks No. 19.
Plus, in April, the Duke basketball recruiting team reeled in a four-star who ranks No. 101 overall in Blair (N.J.) point guard Jaylen Blakes.
The four-deep class ranks No. 3, per 247Sports, trailing No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Tennessee but sitting three spots ahead of No. 6 Kentucky. This represents the eighth consecutive top-three haul by the Blue Devils.