Duke basketball recruiting: Top target’s decision coming soon

A Duke basketball recruiting prospect is closing in on an announcement.

Ridge View (S.C.) power forward GG Jackson has yet to name finalists in his recruitment. That said, according to an article this week from On3 national recruiting insider Jamie Shaw, the Duke basketball program seems to be one of only three suitors with a legit chance to land the 6-foot-8, 210-pound five-star. The other two are South Carolina and UNC.

Now, as Shaw noted after speaking to the high school junior and his father, Gregory Jackson Sr., “A decision is coming soon.” However, they have yet to set an exact date.

Jackson, who ranks No. 8 overall on the 247Sports 2023 Composite, has recently taken official visits to Duke, South Carolina, and UNC.

Has Duke basketball recently made up ground in the race?

Although the 247Sports Crystal Ball points to the Tar Heels as the frontrunners, it’s worth pointing out Jackson was recently in attendance to see the Duke Blue Devils pummel their rivals in Chapel Hill. Furthermore, he explained to Jamie Shaw that his similarities to a freshman sensation in Durham, Paolo Banchero, are enticing:

“[The Duke coaches] said how they produce guys like me, and they compared me to Paolo and want me at his position…Looking at Paolo, he is getting millions from [his name, image, and likeness]. I see he’s getting commercials and all kinds of endorsements. Going to Duke would put me in a position to do well with NIL.”

Duke remains in the top spot on the 247Sports Team Rankings for the 2023 class with two commits in tow: Oak Hill (Va.) five-star point guard Caleb Foster and Windermere (Fla.) four-star power forward Sean Stewart.

Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more on the GG Jackson sweepstakes, plus other Duke basketball recruiting news and views.