Duke Basketball Recruiting: Why Caleb Wilson Likes Christian Laettner

One top-five recruit has done his homework on Duke basketball stars from multiple decades.

Earlier this week, Holy Innocents Episcopal (Ga.) power forward Caleb Wilson, No. 5 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, became the fifth prospect in his class to land a Duke basketball offer. And judging by his chat with On3's Jamie Shaw, he's studied the Blue Devils and admires the reputation their players have built.

"I know a lot about their program," the 6-foot-9, 200-pound five-star told Shaw. "I watched a lot of Christian Laettner growing up, a lot of his highlights. He was perceived as a villain, which is something I like. So I know a lot about Duke and the program."

In describing his game to Shaw, Wilson brought up a more recent Duke basketball name in 2016-17 one-and-done and four-time NBA All-Star Jayson Tatum.

"I'm a big wing, a big playmaker who can make things happen," he explained. "My strength has really come along with my conditioning. I'm able to handle the ball this summer against smaller guards and get to my spots. I watch a lot of Jayson Tatum. I like how he incorporates the mid-post and the wing into his game."

As for his primary contact from the Duke basketball staff, who didn't initially reach out to him until after watching him shine for Georgia Stars on the Nike EYBL circuit in April, he said he now hears from associate head coach Chris Carrawell "a lot."

6’9 Sophomore Caleb Wilson ( @CalebWilson2025 ) cooked with duke in attendance 😳🔥 he’s playing up w/17s and his versatility and skillset continue to grow on both sides of the ball @NikeEYB 🎥 @FoulUpThree3 pic.twitter.com/brsBZVxoo4

— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) April 22, 2023

Although Caleb Wilson noted to Shaw that he'd like to play for a "big brand" in college, it's worth pointing out Duke isn't the only blueblood hot on his trail.

No, Kentucky and UNC also entered the mix in recent months. He had nice things to say about them, not to mention Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee.

RELATED: List of Every Recruit Holding a Duke Offer

Wilson plans to begin taking official visits in September, naming Alabama, Tennessee, and UNC as the schools he may check out first. However, regarding his timeline for deciding on a winner in his loaded recruitment, the rising high school junior informed Shaw that he might not do so until midway through his senior year.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball recruiting news.