Duke Basketball: Jon Scheyer Checks on Top-Ranked Target in Colorado
The USA U19 National Team Training Camp began on Sunday in Colorado, with 30 players, including rising college sophomores, freshmen, and high school seniors, competing to be on the 12-man roster for the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup in Hungary later this month. Five-star Duke basketball target Dylan Harper is among the invitees.
As recruiting insider Adam Zagoria pointed out in the following tweet, second-year Blue Devil head coach Jon Scheyer (upper left corner in the picture) was on hand to watch the action.
One would think that the 35-year-old's primary reason for being there was to help his chances in the winding-down race for Harper by showing support for him at the camp. On that note, Scheyer's appearance implies he still sees himself as a bonafide contender for Harper.
Not only is the 6-foot-5, 180-pound deft combo guard out of Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) one of only a few 2024 prospects appearing at the center of the Blue Devils' recruiting radar, but he's the only one from that group in Colorado this week.
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Harper, who recently leapfrogged former Duke basketball target Tre Johnson into the top spot on the 247Sports 2024 Ranking, is the son of five-time NBA champ Ron Harper and the younger brother of former Rutgers star and current Toronto Raptors forward Ron Harper Jr.
A Blue Devil offer holder for almost a year, he has been down to a final five in his recruitment since late January. Those finalists are Auburn, Duke, Indiana, Kansas, and Rutgers.
However, most insiders seem to think it's now a three-way battle between Duke, Indiana, and home-state favorite Rutgers.
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Although Dylan Harper has not announced a decision date, he has suggested several times that he will likely choose the winning suitor shortly after Peach Jam in July.
He has taken an official visit to Duke. But that was back in October, coinciding with Countdown to Craziness.
One hurdle in Scheyer's pursuit could be the potential for a handful of 2023-24 Duke basketball guards — namely, Caleb Foster, Jared McCain, Jaden Schutt, and Jaylen Blakes — to return for the 2024-25 season, Harper's first year in college.
Thus far, the Blue Devils have landed commitments from two 2024 recruits: North Meck (N.C.) five-star small forward Isaiah Evans and Paul VI Catholic (N.J.) four-star small forward Darren Harris. They rank No. 10 and 60, respectively, in the eyes of 247Sports.
Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for more Duke basketball recruiting news.