Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball's Top NBA Star Helping Blue Devils Recruit Again

Jayson Tatum is a Duke basketball gift that keeps on giving.

Matt Giles

Duke Basketball's Top NBA Star Helping Blue Devils Recruit Again
Duke Basketball's Top NBA Star Helping Blue Devils Recruit Again /
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The inaugural Jayson Tatum Elite Camp, featuring top prospects in high school and college, is happening this weekend in Tatum's hometown of St. Louis. And perhaps it's no coincidence that the group of 30 invited talents includes current, future, and potential Duke basketball players galore.

Blue Devil sophomore forward Mark Mitchell and rookie guard Caleb Foster are on hand.

RELATED: Mark Mitchell Soars in Return to Full Contact

So is Duke's highest-ranked 2024 recruiting prize in Isaiah Evans, a five-star wing who committed to Jon Scheyer in late April and is now entering his senior year at North Meck High School (N.C.).

Yes, the camp should help them to improve their games — presumably with some level of teaching from Tatum — by competing against other premier hoopsters from across the nation.

Furthermore, it's possible those three Blue Devils, not to mention Tatum, a 2016-17 Duke basketball one-and-done and four-time NBA All-Star for the Boston Celtics, could help sway several of Scheyer's undecided targets in attendance toward a commitment.

Those prime targets are Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) five-star guard VJ Edgecombe, No. 16 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite; Montverde (Fla.) five-star forward Cooper Flagg, No. 2 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite; and Holy Innocents' Episcopal (Ga.) five-star forward Caleb Wilson, No. 5 in 2025.

Tatum has chipped in with Scheyer's recruiting efforts before. In April, the 25-year-old forward, whose moves are often imitated by recruits (Cooper Flagg being one of them), showed up at a Nike EYBL event and sat courtside alongside Scheyer and a few of his assistants.

His presence there and in St. Louis this weekend sure can't hurt Duke basketball's chances with Edgecombe, Flagg, and Wilson.

Flagg has held an offer from the Blue Devils since May 2022, while Edgecombe and Wilson received theirs earlier this month.

RELATED: Top Threat to Duke in Cooper Flagg Race

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for daily doses of Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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