Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Arrives on Scene for California Sharpshooter

The Duke basketball pursuit of Brayden Burries is nearing its one-year anniversary, and the Blue Devils haven't backed off yet.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball recruiting target Brayden Burries
Duke basketball recruiting target Brayden Burries / Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal / USA
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On Friday afternoon, Duke basketball recruiters were among a large group of college coaches on hand at Nike EYBL Peach Jam in North Augusta, S.C., checking out five-star guard Brayden Burries, a rising senior at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles.

ALSO READ: Reigning Peach Jam MVP Now Resides in Durham

It's safe to say Burries didn't disappoint. No, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound five-star, whose sturdy build and smooth all-around game bring to mind a recent Duke basketball one-and-one from California in current Philadelphia 76ers rookie guard Jared McCain, posted an impressive double-double in his Strive For Greatness squad's 72-60 victory over Ohio Buckets.

He finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and three steals, shooting 8-for-15 from the field, 3-for-4 from three, and 3-for-4 at the charity stripe across his 29 minutes on the floor.

Burries, now ranking No. 14 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, landed an offer from Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer on July 19, 2023, not long after the Blue Devils watched him shine at last year's Peach Jam. Two months later, he was in Durham for an unofficial visit.

Last week, 247Sports national recruiting insider Eric Bossi said Duke "may be fading" a bit in the Brayden Burries race. But Bossi didn't rule out the Blue Devils, noting that Arizona, Kansas, UCLA, Tennessee, and Houston are others to keep an eye on at this juncture.

Meanwhile, Burries has expressed no hurry in deciding on a college, as new offers continue to trickle in, including one from Ohio State in early June. Plus, it's worth noting that Friday wasn't the only time the Duke basketball staff has made a courtside appearance for the coveted prospect in recent months.

In other words, as things stand, it looks as though Scheyer and his crew still view themselves as legitimate contenders.

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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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