Another UNC-Duke basketball recruiting battle could be brewing.
Per a recent article from Zagsblog recruiting insider Jacob Polacheck, Hillcrest (Ariz.) sophomore small forward Jason Asemota will soon make his way to Tobacco Road for unofficial visits to the UNC and Duke basketball programs. Polacheck did not specify exact dates but noted that Asemota’s trip to Chapel Hill and Durham should take place “in two to three weeks.”
In March, Asemota told Jamie Shaw of On3 that the Blue Devils “have been picking it up lately” in his recruitment but hadn’t yet extended an offer.
The 6-foot-8, 195-pound five-star explained to Polacheck his intrigue about Duke’s situation at the moment as the program transitions from its 42 years under Hall of Fame head coach Mike Krzyzewski and into the Jon Scheyer era:
“I just want to see the change in dynamics when Jon Scheyer becomes head coach. Just being on campus and being around that type of environment, I would love to see if it’s the same or it’s different. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be the same. I would love to be a part of the new writing of history. One of Scheyer’s first classes, I’d love to be a part of that.”
Asemota already holds double-digit offers, most of which come from high-major conferences.
A scouting report on potential Duke basketball target Jason Asemota
Although Jason Asemota sits only No. 18 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, his ranking is on the rise elsewhere, including up to No. 5 on the 2024 On3 Top Basketball Recruits.
One explanation for his soaring stock is the MVP hardware he took home from the Underclassman All-American Game in Atlanta during the last weekend of March. Following Asemota’s sizzling display there, Rob Cassidy of Rivals broke down what he liked seeing from the first-generation American (parents are from Nigeria):
“The first thing you notice about Asemota is his 6-foot-8, 195-pound frame, which he’s learning to use to his advantage on the offensive end. So when he comes out shooting the ball like he did on Sunday, you get the full impression of his well-rounded game.”
Cassidy continued:
“ can finish through contact at the rim and handles the ball decently for his size, but his performance saw him knock down four 3-pointers in the first half and defend a number of different positions.”
As pointed out here at Ball Durham a few weeks ago, Jason Asemota’s broad shoulders, confident stride, and smooth shooting stroke spark comparisons to 2021-22 Duke basketball freshman standout AJ Griffin.
Thus far, according to 247Sports, the Blue Devils have offers on the table to only three 2024 prospects. They are Gill St. Bernard’s (N.J.) five-star small forward Naas Cunningham, Mount Saint Joseph (Md.) five-star small forward Bryson Tucker, and Paul VI (Va.) unrated small forward Darren Harris.
No players from the class have yet committed to Duke, but keep in mind that it’s still extremely early in the recruiting cycle.
Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more on the Blue Devils’ potential pursuit of Jason Asemota, plus other Duke basketball recruiting news and views.