Recruiting : Duke Blog

I don’t know a whole lot about Reggie Agbeko, size wise he is what Duke is looking for at around 6’8 and 225ish, he is extremely raw and hasn’t been playing organized ball for very long, he has physical gifts that may serve Duke but definitely not polished by any means. Conversations have begun but not sure how fruitful they will be.

Jahlil Okafor ((@jahprobound)) is one of the forgotten players in the 2014 class, Duke has offered and if they land this capable center Duke could be a force to reckon with. He has all the skills you want in a center, he has a great all around game, great hands and footwork, he has a polished offensive game and is a great rebounder. He has a decent mid-range game as well, defenses will have to handle him face up and with his back to the basket. His drop-step and turn around jumpers are weapons and he would do well under Coach K. He would be a huge get, figuratively and literally for Duke.

Trey Lyles ((@TreyMambaLyles)) may be the best post player in his class, he plays much older, has post moves for days and has developed a reliable jumper from mid-range to near 3 range. Originally committed to Indiana, Lyles has decided to test the waters. He is strong, athletic and deceptively fast for a big guy.

You might say Justise Winslow ((@Chief_Justise)) has basketball in his genetics, the son of Rickie Winslow, a member of the University of Houston’s famed Phi Slamma Jamma, and who also played in the NBA and overseas, Justise brings big fundamentals and meshes that with a quick first step and thunderous finishes at the rim. Winslow is very advanced for his age. He is a tweener but has the athleticism to play and guard multiple positions. Winslow is dangerous with the ball in his hand, a lefty, he can get to the rim relatively easy, and when he does he has the power to finish or dish effectively. Winslow is also a very good rebounder, and has range out to the 3 point line.

Theo Pinson ((@tpinsonn)) is a hot commodity currently receiving offers from home state schools UNC and Duke among others. Pinson has good athleticism, he is a team guy, more concerned with doing what it takes to win but make no mistake Pinson can get up and down the court and can put on a show. In speaking with Pinsons father he expressed a desire to have Theo spend more time getting to the rim, playing along the baseline and not being so enthralled with the outside shot. The race to gain Pinsons’ services has heated up as of late with UNC also offering the 6’5 180lb prospect and with Kentucky, Georgetown and Indiana also on the hunt it will be a fight for Duke or UNC to keep him in state.

Devin Booker ((@DevinBook)) A dead-on shooter from range and everywhere else on the court, Booker has a scorers mentality and the skills to back it up. If Duke secure a commitment he will be spoken of in the company of shooters like Andre Dawkins, Seth Curry and next years Matt Jones. Booker like Jones and Curry can use his shooting ability to open up drives to the rim.

Not too many guards in high school currently can be called “floor general”, Tyus Jones ((@Tyusjones06)) is definitely one the fits the bill, he plays with a poise and confidence that is unusual for someone so young. Whether it be passing, scoring or taking the big shots. He has added the Tony Parker style teardrop to his arsenal and is very adept at setting the table for his teammates. He is extremely mature with a high basketball IQ and many regard him as the #1 point guard in high school, period.

Abdul-Malik Abu ((@MalikAbu_)) is explosive, plays above the rim, has a solid frame, wants to dunk on you every time, and will. He plays with ferocity, has touch around the rim but rather flush it, good offensive rebounder and shot blocker. He’s a beast on the break and is lengthening his game outward toward having a mid-range jump shot and beyond, but his best work is done in the lane finishing over the defense with authority. Great body control for someone so young.

Miroslav Jaksic ((@jaksic16))Very skilled player, very European in style, at his height has a decent jump shot, can step away from the basket and hit the mid-range jump shot and beyond. Soft hands and great touch at the rim. Will need to get stronger no matter what conference he ends up in but has the frame and the skills to be a contributor once he does.

A combo forward with guard skills, Kevon Looney ((@Loon_Rebel5)) get to the rim as good as any player in his class. Looney is not a one trick pony though, he can hit the outside shots and can create his own shot off the dribble. A good rebounder as well, Looney has all the tools necessary to jump ahead in the rankings including a solid array of offensive moves.

A very good shooter, Grayson Allen ((@GraysonJAllen)) can also finish and pass the ball well. The perimeter seems to be where he is best suited. With a spot on 3 point shot, the ability to catch and shoot, Allens ability to get to the rim becomes more of a weapon, defenses have to play him for the shot, but that leaves him with the chance to blow by and create. His high basketball IQ and quick and sound decision making are his best assets but his ability to put the ball in the basket is what coaches are looking at.

Phil Booth ((@BIGPhil_23)) has an excellent handle, fundamentally sound, great jump shooter. ball fakes, reminds me of a quicker Seth Curry. could end up being a scoring PG, not as explosive as a jwill, but has the same nose for the basket.

Ahmed Hill ((@MedHill_14)) is great with the ball in his hands, plays more like a small forward, is long, has great ups, can shoot it but is more dangerous around the rim, can finish strong. Has to be played for the drive, can slash into the lane and create shots, and if you aren’t careful he will dunk on you. great rebounder from the guard position.

Rashad Vaughn ((@ShowtimeMr)) is playing with confidence of late and has a great feel for the game. He is very adept at attacking the rim, can put points on the board in a hurry. Definitely the type of wing that would do very well in Durham.

JaQuel Richmond ((@JRichmond_11)) is a pure point guard who can pass and get to the rim, knifing through defenders is his game, once he has a consistent outside shot and a quicker release he will be deadly. He is one of the few guards currently that Duke is looking at. With Syracuse also in the mix, Duke will look to keep Richmond close to home.

Josh Perkins ((@JoshPerkins03)) I really like what Josh Perkins brings to the table, he is a kid you can tell really enjoys what he is doing. He is a wizard with the ball and can break defenders down and lull them with the dribble. He is also a good shooter which aids in his ability to fool the defense, he has to be played for both shot and pass and he has enough speed to get by his man to the basket and finish.

Class of 2015 Power Forward / Center Elijah Thomas ((@EliCTMDThomas15)) has recently started to really make a name for himself on the hardwood. He is a big kid at 6’9 / 260, and is ready NOW to make an impact in the college game. He’s a complete low-block beast who is adept with his left and right and is a glass cleaner. He’s the type of player that coaches drool over, if his size alone wasn’t enough his skills, footwork and ability to catch the ball and make plays take him over the top.

Right now if I had to choose my favorite player Duke is recruiting I would pick Mickey Mitchell ((@MickeyMitchell0)), this kid may look like Clark Kent but on the court he is a monster. He is a relentless rim attacker, loves to, and is good at finishing the misses of others. He’s as tough as they come and don’t let the big smile and Weezer like looks fool you. He can shoot the rock and pass it as good as any guard, but with the size asnd strength to finish in traffic. His instincts are remarkable for a player his age, he just gets it and it seems that it comes easy for Mitchell, his court vision and awareness maybe the best in his class or any class ahead of him.

Austin Grandstaff ((@Therealgstaff)) is another player out of the long-horn state that Duke is evaluating. He is a high motor kid who can finish plays on his own or set his teammates up. He can knock down the perimeter shots be it spotting up or off of catch and shoot. Hoping to see more of him soon but he is definitely one to watch and Duke is doing just that.

Diamond Stone ((@Diamond_Stone33))is very long, and deceptively athletic for his size. He can score at will in the paint, had post up moves and can face up as well. Excellent shot blocker and plays within himself. It’s clear that he is expanding and extending his game but he will make his living in the lane where he has a soft touch and terrific hands, he can also pass in traffic better than most big men.

Stephen Zimmerman Jr ((@BIGG_ZIMM)) Stephen Zimmerman Jr is another somewhat new and young prospect, typical skills for a guy his size he actually has a half decent jump shot, but definitely with is size will be a center, good at passing out of the post and makes good decisions, will probably have decent assist numbers because of his ability to find the open man, hard worker and fundamentally sound. As young as he is has moves to get to the basket.

Harry Giles ((@TheReal_HG3)) A word I would use to describe him is special, he is going to be impressive wherever he goes. He plays well beyond his have bracket and has a thirst to prove he is a beast. To be as young as he is and as tall as he is there is no awkwardness about him, he can handle, shoot, is athletic and works well with his body. I’m not sure if there is a precedent for Duke getting this kind of player and its also too soon to tell at 6’9 if this is where he tops out. Confident. Skilled. Young.

Raekwon Long ((@raekwonlong))

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