Duke basketball: Jon Scheyer eyes another premier Chicago five-star

The next Duke basketball head coach should keep a Chicago tradition intact.

DJ Steward. Jahlil Okafor. Jabari Parker. Jon Scheyer. Sean Dockery. Corey Maggette. Chris Collins. Phil Henderson. Mike Krzyzewski. There’s more. Yet just that mostly five-star group alone — with the oldest serving as head coach and the fourth fella on the list acting as his reliable guard and successor-in-waiting — would hold its own against any assortment of Duke basketball legends.

But outside of excelling in the sport, what do these nine have in common? Well, they’re all Duke Blue Devils from Illinois, either in or around the Chicago area.

In other words, with respect to the world of college basketball recruiting, Durham has become a Chicago magnet across Krzyzewski’s soon-to-be 42 years in town.

Duke basketball recruiting in Illinois looking to continue

Evidently, Jon Scheyer and the Duke basketball assistants have one eye on the Windy City when looking ahead two years. With newfound recruiting autonomy while gearing up to take the throne after Mike Krzyzewski’s upcoming farewell tour, the 33-year-old has his future crew taking notes on the premier Chicago product from the 2023 class in Kenwood five-star small forward JJ Taylor.

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At No. 7 overall on the 247Sports 2023 Composite, it’s no surprise that Taylor already holds offers from the likes of Illinois, Kansas, and Texas. Plus, according to his chat this week with recruiting insider Andrew Slater, the 6-foot-8, 195-pound long-limbed spectacle is now seeing interest from Duke, Kentucky, and Michigan as well.

Here’s how Eric Bossi of 247Sports summarized the phenom’s game in April:

“There will be lots of change in the rankings between now and the time members of the class of 2023 graduate, but five-star small forward J.J. Taylor looks to be built to stay near the top for the long haul and is one to know.”

Bossi continued:

“Taylor is everything you want in a modern small forward. He can put the ball on the floor some, he has range on the jumper, he finishes above the rim, and he can also be played as a small-ball four-man depending upon how a team wants to play.”

Judging from that assessment and the above highlight tape, it’s safe to say Taylor would add yet another certifiable weapon to an all-time squad of Chicago Blue Devils.

Lastly, one would think Scheyer & Co. must be aware that JJ Taylor is the only prospect among the top 50 in the class who hails from Illinois.