Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball: Predictions Stack Up Ahead of Prep's Decision

The Duke basketball staff secured a hat at the table for Nikolas Khamenia's announcement, but it appears unlikely the Blue Devils prevail.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer
Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer extended an offer to Harvard-Westlake School (Calif.) senior Nikolas Khamenia in June and welcomed the top-shelf stretch-four to campus for an official visit in September. Along the way, the Blue Devils landed in the top five that Khamenia named in August, including Gonzaga, UCLA, Arizona, and archrival UNC.

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Plus, Duke survived another round of cuts this week. According to a Monday report from 247Sports' Adam Finkelstein, who is set to host Khamenia's livestreamed announcement at 5:30 p.m. ET Tuesday, the 6-foot-8, 210-pound sensation is now down to a final three of Duke, UCLA, and Gonzaga.

Evidently, he's eliminated Arizona and UNC from contention.

But Scheyer and his powerhouse recruiting team have looked like longshots to land Khamenia, No. 27 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, ever since Columbus High School (Fla.) five-star forward Cameron Boozer, sitting No. 2 in the cycle, and his twin brother, five-star point guard Cayden Boozer, announced their commitments to the Blue Devils on Oct. 11.

Gonzaga probably doesn't like its chances either.

No, by late Monday afternoon, within a few hours of Finkelstein revealing Khamenia's decision time, the first four predictions surfaced between the 247Sports Crystal Ball, On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, and Rivals FutureCast. All four forecast the home-state Bruins to win the high-profile sweepstakes.

Even so, Duke basketball's inclusion in Nikolas Khamenia's top three is an apparent sign of appreciation and respect.

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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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