Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Tries to Fortify Pipeline From Prep Powerhouse

This week, Duke basketball popped in on a pair of heralded prospects in Northern Virginia.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

A week into the open recruiting period, which runs through mid-October, it's clear that second-year Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his crew have been busy. One of the coaches' stops was Paul VI Catholic (Va.), which has produced Jeremy Roach, now a senior in Durham, and 2021-22 Blue Devil Trevor Keels.

According to Rivals' Houston Wilson, Scheyer and two of his assistants were there on Wednesday.

The number of Paul VI Catholic talents to play for Duke is set to grow by at least one next season, as four-star 2024 small forward and renowned sharpshooter Darren Harris has been committed to the Blue Devils for almost a year.

So, one reason for Scheyer's visit was to check in on him. The other reason for the stop is Duke basketball's ongoing pursuit of Paul VI Catholic center Patrick Ngongba II, the only undecided 2024 big man holding an offer from the Blue Devils.

Ngongba, a 6-foot-11, 235-pound newly minted five-star who rose a few spots this week to No. 25 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, revealed a final eight in his recruitment in mid-July, a month after his official visit to Duke. The other seven are Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Providence, and UConn.

He's slated to return to Durham for another official visit on Oct. 20-22, the same weekend as Countdown to Craziness, alongside at least two fellow 2024 Duke basketball targets in five-star small forwards Cooper Flagg and VJ Edgecombe.

RELATED: Kansas Meets With Prime Duke Target Cooper Flagg

But the Blue Devils aren't the only recruiting juggernaut set to host Patrick Ngongba II this fall. No, the broad-shouldered, relatively nimble giant, fresh off last weekend's official visit to Michigan, is gearing up for a trip to Kentucky at the end of this month. And he'll check out Kansas State the weekend after his Duke basketball visit.

There's no telling if Duke is the outright frontrunner. After all, zero insider predictions exist in the race. Nevertheless, Scheyer's check-in this week and Ngongba's planned return visit to Durham indicate the Blue Devils remain firmly in the mix as he enters what may be the homestretch of his recruitment.

In addition to Darren Harris, Duke has reeled in a commitment from five-star 2024 small forward Isaiah Evans out of North Meck (N.C.). The class currently ranks No. 9 in the country, per 247Sports.

RELATED: Upcoming Duke Visitor Now on the Verge of Decision

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

Published
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.

Home/Recruiting