From Duke Comms:
Duke men’s basketball associate head coach Jon Scheyer has announced the first four members of the Blue Devils’ 2022 freshman class with the signing of Kyle Filipowski, Dereck Lively II, Jaden Schutt and Dariq Whitehead during the NCAA’s early signing period. The Blue Devils’ incoming class is ranked No. 1 currently by ESPN in its 2022 class rankings.
With Scheyer tapped as the successor to head coach Mike Krzyzewski following Coach K’s retirement at the end of this season, Duke is one of just two schools with four signees rated in the top 50 of ESPN 100’s class of 2022 rankings alongside Kentucky. Duke has finished in the top four in each of ESPN’s class rankings since 2014, including a streak of seven consecutive seasons (2014-20) in which the Blue Devils inked a top-two class.
The NCAA’s early signing period is open until Nov. 17, 2021, with the regular signing period April 13, 2022 through May 18, 2022.
Kyle Filipowski – 6-11 – 220 – Center – Westtown, N.Y. – Wilbraham & Monson Academy (Mass.)
- Coach Scheyer: “I’m really excited to have Kyle and his family in our family. Kyle was the first in this class to announce he was coming to Duke, and his trust and belief really meant a lot to me and our staff. Kyle is 6-foot-11 but he has guard skills. He’s really versatile, is a big-time passer and playmaker and he’s one of the best rebounders in high school basketball. Kyle is someone that can play inside and out, can score in the post and can also shoot well beyond the three-point line. His toughness and versatility will make him a terrific player at Duke.”
- A five-star center
- Ranked as the No. 10 overall player and No. 2 at his position (center, behind Duke signee Dereck Lively II) in ESPN 100’s class of 2022 rankings
- The second-highest rated player from the state of New York in his class
- Named the Massachusetts Boys Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior in 2020-21
- Averaged 21.0 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game in junior season
- Competed for NY Renaissance on Nike EYBL circuit, averaging 13.0 points and 8.2 rebounds in eight games
- Named to the 2021 USA Basketball 3×3 U18 World Cup, where he led the Americans to the gold medal
- Led Wilbraham & Monson to the 2020 New England Prep School Athletic Council Class AA championship and was named tournament MVP
- Committed to Duke on July 29, 2021
- Chose the Blue Devils over Syracuse and Ohio State, among others
Dereck Lively II – 7-1 – 215 – Center – Chester, Pa. – Westtown School
- Coach Scheyer: “We’re excited to welcome Dereck and his family to Duke University. Dereck is coming off a terrific summer where his Team Final won the Peach Jam championship and he’s played at a high level at Westtown. Dereck fits the profile of a modern-day big man. He can run the floor, he can finish above the rim and he’s a great pick-and-roll player that can either pop or he can rim run and be a threat. The thing he does that is unique is he can really space behind the three-point line. On the defensive end, he’s elite. He’s the best shot blocker and rim protector in high school basketball and he can switch and guard one through five.”
- A five-star center
- Rated as the No. 2 overall player in ESPN 100’s rankings for the class of 2022
- Ranked No. 1 at his position (center) and No. 1 in the state of Pennsylvania by ESPN
- Competed for Team Final on the Nike EYBL circuit during the summer of 2021, leading them to a Peach Jam title
- Led the EYBL with 3.7 blocked shots per game in 15 contests while adding 8.4 points and 6.7 rebounds
- Recorded 13 points, 10 boards and three blocks in the EYBL Peach Jam championship game on July 25
- Former Blue Devil and current Atlanta Hawks forward Cam Reddish also attended Westtown School
- Committed to Duke on Sept. 20, 2021
- Chose the Blue Devils over Kentucky and North Carolina
Jaden Schutt (pronounced “shoot”) – 6-4 – 175 – Shooting Guard – Yorkville, Ill. – Yorkville Christian High School
- Coach Scheyer: “Jaden is someone who has dedicated a lot of time and energy to his craft. He’s a terrific player and a premier shooter in this class. Jaden has great feel for the game and moves incredibly well without the ball, which not only opens up things for him but his teammates. He has championship pedigree on the AAU circuit, has played at a high level and is excited to play in this spotlight and on this stage at Duke. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Jaden and his family with us and we can’t wait for him to get on campus.”
- A four-star shooting guard
- Rated as the No. 47 overall player in ESPN 100’s rankings for the class of 2022
- Ranked as the No. 8 player at his position (shooting guard) by ESPN
- Averaged 26.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 steals as a junior in 2020-21
- Has made 217 three-point field goals through three seasons at Yorkville Christian
- Competed for the Illinois Wolves on the AAU circuit, helping lead the team to the Under Armour Association 17U title in the summer of 2021
- Committed to Duke on Sept. 2, 2021
- Chose the Blue Devils over Michigan State and Florida, among others
Dariq Whitehead (pronounced “DA-reek”) – 6-6 – 190 – Small Forward – Newark, N.J. – Montverde Academy (Fla.)
- Coach Scheyer: “Dariq is a big-time player who’s been battle tested during his time in high school. He’s played for Montverde since his eighth grade year with a lot of other special players and has played in big-time environments. That will really help prepare him for the transition to Duke. Dariq is someone that can guard multiple positions on the perimeter. He’s a great defender and athlete with great skill and feel for the game. Dariq really had a trust in us during the recruiting process. It’s an honor to welcome him and his family to Duke and we couldn’t be more excited to coach him.”
- A five-star small forward
- Ranked as the No. 5 overall player in ESPN 100’s rankings for the class of 2022
- Rated the No. 1 player at his position (small forward) by ESPN
- Helped Montverde Academy win the GEICO High School National Championship as a junior in 2020-21
- Averaged 9.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals during junior season
- Netted 16.5 points per game on .510 field goal shooting in 11 games with Team Durant on the Nike EYBL circuit in 2021
- Participated in the 2019 USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team October minicamp
- Left hometown of Newark, N.J., to attend Montverde Academy at age 13
- Former Blue Devil and current New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett also attended Montverde Academy
- Committed to Duke on Aug. 1, 2021
- Chose the Blue Devils over Kansas and Florida State, among others
- His older brother, Tahir Whitehead, played linebacker in the NFL from 2012-20.
